KAMPALA, Uganda— Buganda Kingdom has intensified its forest restoration campaign after signing a landmark partnership with NCBA Bank Uganda to plant 20,000 indigenous trees under the Ekyibira kya Kabaka initiative.
The Second Deputy Katikkiro, Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, said environmental conservation remains a central pillar of the Kingdom’s 2023–2028 Strategic Plan and is being advanced through deliberate partnerships with both public and private institutions.
“This partnership with NCBA Bank Uganda reflects our deliberate commitment to work with like-minded partners to restore and protect our natural heritage,” Nsibirwa said during the launch at Bulange, Mengo.
He emphasized that environmental preservation in Buganda is not a new agenda but one deeply embedded in the Kingdom’s cultural values and governance systems.
According to Nsibirwa, the Kingdom promotes tree planting at both family and community levels during significant cultural events such as kwanjula ceremonies, burials, and the installation of heirs.
“These practices show that conservation and sustainability are deeply rooted in our culture. Planting a tree is not just an environmental act, but a cultural statement about continuity, responsibility, and respect for future generations,” he noted.
Nsibirwa added that the Kingdom has previously partnered with institutions such as the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to restore forest cover. Through the Ekyibira kya Kabaka programme, thousands of trees have already been planted across several hectares.
50 Hectares Targeted in Kyotera
Under the new agreement, 20,000 indigenous trees will be planted across 50 hectares in Lukungu, Greater Buddu County, Kyotera District.
Nsibirwa applauded NCBA Bank Uganda for translating its sustainability agenda into practical action through its Change the Story initiative.
Speaking at the event, NCBA Uganda Managing Director Mark Muyobo said the initiative goes beyond ceremonial tree planting.
“This partnership reflects our shared responsibility to protect the environment for present and future generations. Strong partnerships between cultural institutions and the private sector are essential to delivering meaningful and lasting impact,” Muyobo said.
He explained that the programme will prioritize indigenous tree species to safeguard biodiversity, improve soil fertility, conserve water resources, and strengthen ecosystem resilience against climate change.
Environmental Urgency
Beyond restoring forest cover, the project is expected to create socio-economic opportunities for communities involved in tree management, while contributing to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration.
Uganda continues to face significant environmental pressures. Since 1900, the country has lost approximately 41.6 percent of its forest cover due to agricultural expansion, charcoal burning, overgrazing, and heavy reliance on wood fuel. Nearly 88 percent of Ugandans depend on wood fuel for cooking, placing immense strain on forest resources.
Muyobo stressed that addressing such challenges requires more than policy commitments.
“Tackling environmental degradation demands action, community involvement, and strong collaboration across government, cultural institutions, and the private sector,” he said.
He commended Buganda Kingdom for its sustained conservation efforts, including tree planting in degraded forests, schools, and along roadsides.
“By joining hands, we are expanding these efforts and strengthening biodiversity protection across the region,” he added.
The partnership has been described as a win–win collaboration reinforcing institutional responsibility in protecting Uganda’s natural heritage while advancing sustainable development.
About NCBA Bank Uganda
NCBA Bank Uganda Limited is a subsidiary of NCBA Group PLC, East Africa’s third-largest bank, with an asset base of UGX 960 billion and a strong liquidity profile. Formed from the merger of NIC and CBA Banks in 2020, NCBA combines extensive corporate and retail banking expertise with leading innovations, offering services ranging from mobile banking and asset finance to tailored investment solutions. The bank focuses on relationship management and customer success while supporting regional economic growth.
About Buganda Kingdom
Buganda is Uganda’s largest traditional kingdom by population and historical influence, with a rich cultural heritage spanning centuries. Headed by the Kabaka, the Kingdom plays an active role in cultural preservation, community development, environmental conservation, and socio-economic transformation across its counties.
Through institutions such as Buganda Investments and Commercial Undertakings Limited, the Kingdom continues to partner with private sector players to promote sustainable development and environmental protection.
