MBALE-The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces [ UPDF ] has partnered with the local governments including Mbale city, Manafwa and Mbale districts to promote orchard farming and environmental conservation in the Mount Elgon region.
The launch of fruit distribution and planting was conducted at the military police barracks in Mbale City by UPDF officers and other senior government leaders in the region.
Speaking at the function, the Resident City Commissioner [RCC] for Mbale City Ahamada Wasaki commended both the President and Commander-In-Chief of the UPDF, Yoweri Museveni and the entire UPDF leadership for conducting the last edition of the Defence Forces Week that realised the need for environmental protection in the Elgon region.
He said: ” We are here to enforce the Presidential Directive on environmental conservation and protection.”
The RCC called upon residents to work towards the promotion and protection of the environment since it’s now criminal to engage in unlawful activities like wetland encroachment and deforestation.
The Zonal Commander Lt Col. John Luyima, who spoke on behalf of the UPDF Third Infantry Division Commander, Brig Gen. Joseph Balikudembe, noted that UPDF will always stay committed to steering activities that cause the socio-economic transformation to the people of the Elgon region and beyond.
He said: “As UPDF we are delighted and remain focused towards the course for the promotion of fruit production and having a conducive ecosystem for our people.”
He promised that the same activities will eventually roll out to other districts but in a phased manner.
The Mayor of Mbale City, Cassim Namugali, appreciated the good gesture from UPDF of extending fruit tree seedlings to residents. He called upon beneficiaries to ensure the steady growth of all the seedlings.
Namugali noted that besides environmental conservation, the fruit seedlings will benefit people in the Elgon region with food, are a health multiplier and have some economic value.
The region was recently hit by recent torrential rains causing loss of lives and property. “It’s very easy to cut a tree but sometimes difficult to destroy a fruit tree as it offers food,” said Namugali.
Mbale city senior environmental officer, Rhoda Nyaribi alluded that besides fruit production and acting as windbreaks, the fruit planting initiative also helps to moderate climatic conditions and provides a good breeze for humanity.
She explained that the green campaign plan targets planting over a million trees in each constituency to mitigate the effects of climatic change. “As environmentalists, we are committed to ensuring that these seedlings are planted, watered and monitored,” Nyaribi assured participants.
She also requested more fruit tree seedlings from the UPDF.
The target beneficiaries for phase one tree seedlings distribution are Schools and organised communities in Mbale City, Mbale district and Manafwa district with each government administrative unit taking 1,500 fruit seedlings.
The 5,000 fruit tree seedlings that were earlier donated by One Million Tree international Company to support the 41st Army Week and Defence Forces activities will be distributed and planted in selected areas around the Elgon region.
The availed organic species included: mangoes, guavas, avocados and jackfruits.
https://thecooperator.news/ministers-ask-farmers-to-invest-in-tree-seedlings-in-northern-uganda/
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