March 21st, 2024 was International Tree Planting Day. To commemorate the day UBF and the Buganda Kingdom hosted the Ekibira Kya Kabaka (EKKI) fundraising dinner to raise resources for tree growing and planting in the Kingdom which is in Uganda’s central region. The EKKI initiative has a target of raising UGX 5 billion to facilitate the planting of over 2.5 million trees by 2028. The tree planting will be done in the identified degraded sites of the 18 counties of the Buganda Kingdom.
The dinner was attended by several royal dignitaries, including Omulangira Daudi Kintu Wasajja, the Chief Guest, 2nd Deputy Katikiro, and PDG Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, accompanied by the Buganda Kingdom Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Environment, and Bulungibwansi Owek. Marriam Mayanja Nkalubo. In his presentation, the chief guest emphasized that the Kingdom is committed to the EKKI initiative and has included all its activities in the kingdom’s strategic plan. He called on all Kabaka subjects to, embrace tree planting, especially social functions adding that the kingdom was working to ensure that tree planting and growing is part of the moral fibre of its subjects.
In a powerful keynote address delivered by Dr. Peter Kimbowa the NSSF Board Chairman, he expressed commitment to expand the EKKI activities by pitching for more funding and advised all the schools in the kingdom to free up some acreage on the school premises and plant trees. The UBF Board Chairman Mr. David Duli, called for joint collaborative efforts to combat degradation in the central region of Uganda.
Recognition to the private sector as a strategic partner in making the Initiative come to fruition. Absa Bank (U) Ltd, Centenary Bank, PKF Auditors, Agha Khan Foundation, National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Crown Beverages Uganda (Pepsi), and many nature-loving men and women. UBF and its partners greatly appreciate their contribution to advancing this cause.
Absa Bank (U) Ltd, Crown Beverages Ltd (Pepsi), Centenary Bank, Chimpanzee Trust, National Forestry Authority, National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Agha Khan Foundation Uganda, Jane Goodall Institute, and all Individuals and their representatives in the room.
The EKKI initiative is a significant step towards creating a greener and healthier environment, combating degradation in the central region, and restoring royal forests in other kingdoms. This initiative is part of the Royal Forest Initiative model by UBF to restore royal forests in other Kingdoms like Busoga, Bamasaaba, Acholi, Tooro, and Bunyoro, among others.
