By Spy Uganda
Environmentalists in Fort Portal led by Central Division Mayor, Richard Muhumuza and Kaborole district youth chairman Chris Aliganyira on Friday commemorated the world earth day.
The mega event was held at Tooro Club and was organized by AFRIYEA in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment, Tooro Botanical Gardens, Change Society Needs, Join for Water, and Tooro Club among other environmental-based organizations.
World Earth Day is globally recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action to change human behavior and create global, national and local policy changes.
The participants, who gathered in Fort Portal for this cause planted more than 400 trees in what they termed as their 1st phase.
The division mayor expressed gratitude for seeing the young generation taking lead in environmental conservation and the fight against climate change.
He promised maximum support from his office for such activities. He however challenged the organizers to make early arrangements to ensure the earth day 2023 is given more attention.
He further revealed that his office was working tirelessly to end activities that are endangering the sustainability of River Mpanga.
Alayo Joanita, a team leader from the Ministry of Water and Environment under the Albertine Water and Management said the practice of celebrating earth day should be a daily thing.
Said Islam Musa from Tooro botanical said they are happy to be part of the young generation that is caring to protect and conserve the environment. “For us, we are happy to support such initiatives because they all align with our vision and mission.”
AFRIYEA CEO Isaiah Mwesige called on different individuals, organizations and government departments to take serious actions to protect the environment.
“If there is a war we need to fight collectively, it’s the war against environmental protection,” he said adding; “As our environment adapts to and seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate change, trees should be looked at as the lungs of our planet and all efforts carried out to protect it should be greatly recognized as powerful tools in minimizing the effects. Trees provide a myriad of benefits including clean air, food, clean water, medicine among others, which are important attributes humans depend on every day.”
