By Ibrahim Ruhweza
Rotary has set aside shillings 150 million in planting fruit trees in western Uganda’s Ntungamo district New Vision Online has learnt.
Kenneth Mugisha, a former Rotary district governor and the founder of Rotary Mission Green, made the revelation during the launch of Rotaract Earth Initiative (REI) ninth edition at Kampala Capital City Authority City Hall on Saturday.
Mugisha said the mission was to leave a forest wherever they go if climate change is to be mitigated.
He added that the current generation has destroyed the environment by cutting trees and failing to replant them.
“This has been a disservice to nature, and if it fights back, everyone will suffer the consequences,” he said.
For example, according to him, diseases are developing day and night and that currently, cancer is the most dangerous disease in the country, claiming many lives. This, he says, is a result of environmental destruction.
Innocent Mark Nabimanya, the diocesan education co-ordinator, said the Church of Uganda and the locals have given over 50 acres of land where fruit trees will be planted. He said the fruit trees will not only serve as food for the people, but also earn them finances.
River Rwizi which crosses Ntungamo, is drying up because of the long dry spell partly resulting from the cutting of trees.
“The dry spells that used to happen in Ntugamo has become prolonged as we speak. The dry spell used to be about two to three months, but now it stretches to four months. When that happens, it means Ntugamo, which is predominantly an agricultural area, milk production will reduce and crops will not yield as they are supposed to. We will eventually starve,” he said.
