Summary:
- Geoffrey Omolo, the LC5 Chairperson of Katakwi District, expressed his gratitude to the NFA for spearheading this significant climate change initiative.
KATAKWI: In a bid to combat climate change and address waterlogging in schools across Katakwi District, the National Forest Authority (NFA) has donated several tree seedlings to Palam Primary School in Palam Sub-County. This initiative aims to mitigate the effects of unpredictable weather patterns, including floods and droughts.
The donation has inspired the people of Katakwi and neighboring districts to embrace tree planting. Among the species provided are 900 pine trees, 900 eucalyptus trees, and 200 fruit trees, including mangoes, oranges, and grevillea seedlings.
Rotarian Isaac Ojok, a teacher at Mother Care Preparatory School Bunamayo, explained that he submitted a request to the NFA on behalf of the school administration. The NFA responded positively by donating the seedlings to help combat the adverse weather conditions that often wreak havoc during the rainy season.
Ojok, who also serves as the chairperson of the Old Boys and Old Girls Association, revealed that the NFA has committed to providing an additional 10,000 tree seedlings to the school, supplementing the initial 2,000 trees already delivered.
The distribution of the seedlings took place on Friday, January 3, 2024, at Palam Primary School. John Michael Okodi, the headteacher of the school, expressed optimism about the tree-planting project, which will utilize the school’s 56-acre land. Okodi hopes that once the trees mature, they will not only provide fruits for the students but also act as windbreakers.
He highlighted that Palam Sub-County is one of the most flood-prone areas in the district, severely impacting the education of school-aged children.
“Although the distribution coincides with the dry season, we are committed to closely monitoring these trees until the school begins to benefit from them,” Okodi said.
Samuel Okello, a resident of Agurigur in Katakwi, urged the community to prioritize tree planting, noting that it was an initiative long overdue. “We have been struggling because the importance of planting trees had not been instilled in us,” Okello remarked.
Geoffrey Omolo, the LC5 Chairperson of Katakwi District, expressed his gratitude to the NFA for spearheading this significant climate change initiative.
“As district leadership, we will collaborate with the school management committee to ensure the trees are well-monitored until they mature,” Omolo stated.
He also called on the residents of Palam Sub-County and local leaders to embrace tree planting as a measure to prevent waterlogging during the rainy season and to promote environmental sustainability.
