HOIMA, August 25, 2025 — The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs [MoDVA] recently engaged Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom to seek its input in the development of Uganda’s Climate Change and Environmental Security Strategy [CCES].
The delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Dr David Gonyi, Chief of Staff of the UPDF Air Forces, who also chairs the Technical Committee spearheading the CCES development.
Addressing the delegation, which included officials from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces [UPDF], and the Ministry of Water and Environment Alex Katusabe, the Kingdom’s Chief Administrative Secretary, commended the Ministry for recognising the critical role of the environment in national security.
He highlighted the Kingdom’s longstanding commitment to environmental preservation, noting that the Bunyoro-Kitara Strategic Plan 2050 places environmental protection among its top priorities.
Katusabe outlined several of the Kingdom’s environmental initiatives, including the practice of planting trees after burials in place of laying flowers, and a programme encouraging every Munyoro to plant at least 20 trees.
Other efforts include partnerships with the National Forestry Authority [NFA] to preserve cultural forests such as Nyangahya in Masindi, as well as collaborations with a Dutch-based company to provide free indigenous seedlings to the public, resulting in the distribution of over two million trees in the past two years.
He also reflected on the legacy of Omukama Kabalega, who planted the Royal Mile in Budongo Forest with medicinal plants and trees, an environmental heritage that remains intact to this day.
Gonyi expressed gratitude to Omukama Dr Solomon Gafabusa Iguru and the Prime Minister for their leadership in environmental conservation.
He acknowledged the Kingdom’s historic contribution to Uganda’s and Africa’s independence, and emphasised that climate change is now among the greatest security challenges facing the nation.
“[CCES] seeks to mainstream environmental protection into all MoDVA and UPDF policies, operations, and projects, in alignment with Uganda’s international and regional obligations such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], the Paris Agreement, and the East African Community Climate Change Policy,” he said.
Gonyi further noted that while the UPDF, MoDVA, and the Ministry of Water and Environment form the core of the technical committee, they cannot address environmental challenges alone.
“Partnering with traditional institutions like Bunyoro-Kitara is essential for grassroots support and the cultural integration of environmental initiatives,” he added.
Robert Rukahemura Akiiki, the Kingdom’s Cultural and Social Services Officer, stressed that tree planting is deeply embedded in Bunyoro culture.
“Many trees are used in cultural rituals and in crafting traditional drums for the famous Orunyege dance, reinforcing the Kingdom’s mandate to protect and replenish forest resources,” said Rukahemura.
https://thecooperator.news/farmers-urged-to-embrace-dairy-farming-to-enhance-food-security/
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