Agency
he Paramount Chief of Acholi has called on cultural institutions across Uganda to embrace indigenous tree planting as a way of reversing environmental degradation and restoring lost tree cover.
Rwot Onen David Acana II made the call on Tuesday during a tree planting event held at Ker Kwaro Acholi headquarters in Gulu City to mark his 60th birthday.
Acana said the Acholi cultural institution has already embarked on an ambitious plan to plant 40 million trees across the sub-region, focusing on both indigenous and fruit tree species.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with Kijani Forestry, which is supporting the restoration of endangered indigenous species.
During the event, Kijani Forestry provided 120 seedlings of Warburgia ugandensis, a rare medicinal tree, for planting by Acholi chiefs.
Kijani Forestry’s Community Outreach Officer, David Labeja, said the species has become endangered due to its high medicinal value, prompting efforts to conserve and multiply it.
Kijani Forestry currently has 10,000 seedlings of the species and plans to expand planting efforts across Acholi, Lango, Teso, Karamoja, and Bunyoro sub-regions. The initiative will also include other indigenous trees such as the shea nut tree, with planting set to begin in districts like Otuke, Kitgum, and Pader before scaling up to other areas.
