KIKUUBE District, Uganda — MTN Uganda, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Bunyoro Kingdom have launched a 12.4-acre sustainable woodlot in Kikuube District, tying environmental conservation to youth skills development in one of Uganda’s fastest-growing economic zones.
The project, unveiled at St. Joseph Vocational Training Institute during activities to mark Earth Hour, aims to restore degraded land while embedding climate awareness into vocational training.
MTN Uganda, the lead corporate partner for this year’s Earth Hour commemoration in the country, said the initiative reflects a shift from symbolic participation to long-term environmental investment.
“When WWF Uganda invited us, we recognised this as a call to invest in something lasting,” said Ibrahim Senyonga, General Manager, Enterprise Business Unit at MTN Uganda. “This woodlot represents a joint commitment to youth, forests and Uganda’s future.”
The site will serve as a practical learning environment where students can integrate environmental stewardship with technical skills training. This approach is intended to position young people as active participants in climate solutions rather than passive beneficiaries.
Uganda continues to grapple with deforestation and land degradation, driven by energy demand and population growth. Conservation groups say community-based woodlots can help rebuild forest cover while supporting livelihoods.
WWF said the initiative builds on Uganda’s earlier role in hosting the world’s first Earth Hour Forest in 2013, positioning the country as a regional leader in grassroots climate action.
Kikuube, located in the Albertine Graben, is central to Uganda’s oil and gas development, raising concerns about environmental sustainability as industrial activity expands. Stakeholders at the launch said the project underscores the need to balance economic growth with ecological protection.
‘’This district represents Uganda’s economic future, but that future must be sustainable,” said Annet Proscovia Mugisa, the District Natural Reources officer for Kikuube District.
The woodlot is a strong symbol of responsible development and reflects MTN’s commitment to responsible business, ensuring that growth goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship, sustainability and shared value for communities.
Other partners involved in the initiative include Uganda National Oil Company, Uganda Red Cross Society and Roofings Group, highlighting growing private-sector participation in climate-focused programmes.
Under the global Earth Hour movement, individuals, businesses and organisations are expected to switch off lights at 8:30 p.m. In Uganda, organisers say projects such as the Kikuube woodlot are designed to complement awareness campaigns with measurable environmental impact.
Students and the surrounding community will take responsibility for maintaining the woodlot, which is expected to improve biodiversity, provide shade and contribute to cleaner air over time.
MTN Uganda said it plans to deepen partnerships that align environmental sustainability with national development priorities, particularly in regions experiencing rapid economic transformation.
