Lango Paramount Chief urges locals to embrace tree planting at social events

LIRA CITY, January 3, 2026 — The Paramount Chief of the Lango Cultural Institution, Dr Eng. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, has urged communities, clan leaders and other stakeholders to embrace tree planting as a key measure to protect the rapidly degrading environment.

Dr Okune made the call during a recent council meeting of clan leaders held at the Lango Cultural Centre in Lira City East Division.

He noted that the Lango Cultural Institution has been implementing a greening programme since 2023, under which tree seedlings have been distributed to various institutions across the sub-region.

According to the Paramount Chief, environmental protection is essential because it supports human productivity, particularly in agriculture and other livelihood activities.

He encouraged communities to make tree planting part of their everyday lives and integrate it into social gatherings such as weddings, burials and school events.

“I am appealing to leaders and community members to make tree planting part of who we are at all times. In any gathering — schools, ceremonies, marriage functions — tree planting should be included in the programme. Even during burials, we should plant trees afterwards so that we continue fighting environmental degradation,” Dr Okune said.

He further confirmed that the institution has continued to undertake tree-planting activities under the greening programme.

“In November 2025, we carried out tree planting at Lango College during the Won Nyaci Cup tournament, and we can use similar opportunities now that football activities are ongoing,” he said.

However, Dr Okune acknowledged that the institution is facing financial constraints that limit the implementation of its environmental programmes.

“Our greening programme will continue, and we have many plans and projections, but we are constrained by limited financial resources,” he noted.

When contacted, Leonard Otika, the Environment Officer for Lira City, said tree planting plays a crucial role in addressing climate-related challenges such as drought.

“We are experiencing more frequent heatwaves. Planting trees helps mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions and acting as a natural carbon sink,” Otika said.

He added that community attitudes towards tree planting need to change.

“Behavioural change is essential. Communities must understand that although some of these efforts come with costs, they bring long-term environmental and health benefits,” he said.

In June 2025, Caritas Lira, a not-for-profit organisation, planted 31,000 trees across the Lango Sub-region. Of these, 20,000 were planted in sub-counties including Aber in Oyam District; Okwalogwen, Amwoma and Bata in Dokolo District; Abako and Amugo in Alebtong District; and Alango in Otuke District, while 1,100 seedlings were planted in Lira City.

Similarly, in October 2025, the Rotary Club of Lira Metropolitan [RCLM] launched a tree-seedling distribution drive targeting both primary and secondary schools across the Lango Sub-region. The initiative aims to improve air quality and provide windbreaks within school compounds and surrounding communities.

Meanwhile, Fabius Otike, the Lira District Natural Resources Officer, revealed that forest cover in the district continues to decline and currently stands at only 8.9 per cent.

He said the district is working with non-governmental organisations, farmers and the Ministry of Water and Environment to promote reforestation.

“Forest cover has reduced significantly. Currently, it stands at about 8.9 per cent of the total land area. We are leveraging partnerships with the Ministry of Water and Environment to periodically receive and distribute tree seedlings to farmers,” Otike said.

Farmers in Lira and Alebtong districts who have benefited from tree-planting initiatives testified to their importance, citing income generation and soil protection.

Paska Justine Okabo, a member of the Lonyo Dag Nyeko Farmers’ Group in Barwot Village, Orit Parish, Agweng Sub-county, Lira District, said agroforestry plays a vital role in soil conservation and provides building materials, and income, and firewood among others.

She added that trees also improve air quality by filtering pollutants.

“Trees provide us with firewood, income from timber and clean air. During the dry season, we even grow vegetables because of the shade from the trees,” she said.

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