Katakwi- Katakwi Students Development Forum has embarked a campaign on climate change and better environment conservation across the churches and community in the 20 sub counties of Katakwi, Town council, Getom, Usuk, Toroma, Magoro, Ngariam all in Katakwi District.
Anthony Opus, the speaker of Katakwi students’ forum while handing out trees at Aleles Church of Uganda in Akoboi Sub County said that the campaign is geared towards giving back to the community by distributing over one million tree seedlings in feature across the district.
The students who are involved in giving tree seedlings have since 2023 given out over 500 different tree seedlings spices. The same association previously embarked on a career guidance campaign across pupils and students in Katakwi district.
According to Opus, church communities are key in fighting the negative effects of climate change; he added that leaders and stakeholders should act upon global warming by planting trees.
Elizabeth Agwang, acting coordinator, Katakwi Student Development Forum is an association formed in 2019 by Katakwi students studying in various universities of Uganda such as Kyambogo, Busitema, Makerere, Gulu and some secondary schools is aiming to ensure that environment is reserved to combat unpredictable weather partners and also make people responsible on tree planning.
Agwang revealed that a negative attitude towards tree planting affects the environment citing that due to lack of trees cover forest cover is engulfed.
She appeals that since 80 % of rural setting relies on firewood for cooking makes trees limited but to revive environmental glory people should adapt to modern techniques where people mold clay soil to replace charcoal for cooking.
Elias Ociria Onyait, a member of Katakwi Student Development Forum, appealed to the community to embrace afforestation and fight against cutting down trees to avoid biodiversity. “
Joel Opio, the chairperson planning and development at Aleles Church of Uganda appreciated Katakwi Student Development Forum for the support.
Meanwhile Emmanuel Otoke , the Councilor Okokoma parish in Akoboi sub county says the sub county is on the plan to come up with bi-laws and ordinances aiming at regulating members of the public from deforestation.
Meanwhile she also called upon the communities to refrain from grazing animals in school compounds in order to succeed in the campaign of restoring the environment
