By Gad Masereka
Kampala: The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga on July 11 launched a tree-planting initiative geared towards mitigating the devastating effects of climate change in the Lake Victoria catchment area.
This will cover the area of the new Katosi water treatment plant in Mukono District.
The campaign is aimed at improving water catchment protection and management as a way to guarantee and preserve raw water in Lake Victoria.
In her remarks, the Speaker lashed out at Government institutions and local Governments that failed to use their powers to protect natural resources.
She expressed her disappointment towards the Minister of Finance, saying the ministry repeatedly frustrated efforts to operationalise the tree fund. “I am very angry with my grandfather, the minister of finance for not operationalizing the tree fund,” Speaker Kadaga remarked.
She further revealed that a Parliamentary Committee on Climate Change will be named in a bid to mitigate climate change.
Hon Kadaga assured the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) that issue of water in Parliament is not a problem.
“We have a few problems in Mukono, regarding encroachment of forests and I want to ask the leadership of Mukono to ensure that our forests are protected.” Revealed the Minister for Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris.
According to NWSC, the Katosi water works contractor Sogea Satom will plant a total of 18,000 trees next to the Katosi water works site.
In addition, the corporation completed a 1million trees planting campaign supported by National Forestry Authority.
