Equity Bank, led by Executive Director Elizabeth Mwerinde Kasedde, has initiated a Tree-planting campaign in collaboration with the community, Million Trees International, and Kasese District. This campaign aims to plant over 7,000 indigenous trees across the district, focusing on environmental conservation and climate change mitigation.
During the launch of the Kasese Conservation Forestry Program in Rukoki Ward, Kasese District, Mwerinde emphasized Equity Bank’s commitment to promoting sustainable finance with a focus on both people and the planet. She stated, “Equity has partnered with several organizations to promote various forestry initiatives that encourage sustainable solutions for preserving natural environments.”
Mwerinde highlighted that this initiative would contribute significantly to addressing climate change while engaging the community in environmental conservation. Additionally, it offers opportunities for the community to generate income through tree planting and maintenance activities.
The Kasese Conservation Forestry program commences with the cultivation of 7,000 indigenous trees, including species such as Spathodea, Mahogany, Maesopsis, Afrizelia, Warbugia Ugandensis, Prunus Africanus, Musambya, and Terminelia, covering 50 acres of land in Mwaro Cell, Rukoki Ward, Nyamwamba Division. This site plays a crucial role in preserving the Nyamwamba River catchment area, which faces challenges due to inadequate vegetation cover. Kasese District is characterized by water scarcity, with annual rainfall of less than 600mm.
Jibril Semakura Owomugisha, Founder and Director of Million Trees International, highlighted the goal of planting one million trees per constituency across Uganda by 2034 through conservation forestry, agroforestry, and urban forestry programs aimed at increasing Uganda’s forestry cover. The community will actively monitor and nurture the trees to develop a forest, and community members will receive monthly stipends for their tree monitoring efforts.
Equity Group’s broader goal is to plant 35 million trees across the six countries in which it operates. The bank’s technical partners will provide support in identifying areas in need of urgent tree cover, mapping agro-ecological zones, selecting suitable tree species, and ensuring proper planting and tree maintenance through local staff and partners.
As part of its Energy and Environment pillar, Equity Bank is also facilitating the transition to clean energy to reduce reliance on wood fuel, charcoal, and fossil fuels. The bank offers an energy loan called the Equi-Green Loan, accessible digitally via mobile networks and branches, to support communities and institutions in accessing clean and affordable energy.
Furthermore, Equity Bank collaborates with farmers to assist them in purchasing indigenous tree seedlings and fruit trees and encourages customers to participate in tree planting initiatives. Scientists emphasize that planting trees is a cost-effective and impactful way to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, combat climate change, and provide essential ecosystem services such as soil fertility maintenance and watershed protection.
