Mogadishu | On Wednesday, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) troops in Somalia, operating under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU), took part in the global celebration of World Environment Day in Mogadishu.
The 2024 theme, “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience,” with the slogan “Our Land, Our Future,” emphasises the transition to a greener future.
The troops commemorated the occasion by cleaning the ocean shores and beach at the base camp before planting trees.
Brigadier General Anthony Lukwago Mbuusi, Commander of Sector One, emphasised the importance of tree planting, proper waste disposal, and environmental protection and conservation.
He urged the troops to carry out these activities as part of their mission.
The ATMIS operational concept promotes ongoing environmental awareness among troops by encouraging tree planting, hazardous material removal, and natural land restoration.
These initiatives aim to support sustainable livelihoods and address land degradation, charcoal trading, floods, and droughts, disproportionately affecting vulnerable women and children.
Abdrahim Barre Mohamed, Director and representative of Somalia’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, reaffirmed the Federal Government of Somalia’s commitment to environmental protection through afforestation, good agricultural practices, and engaging young people in conservation efforts.
He urged everyone to take action, emphasising that every effort counts and that collective action can have a significant impact.
The UN/ATMIS gave the minister more than 5,000 tree seedlings of various species, including fruit trees, to plant.
Also read: “Our Land, Our Future”: LEMU’s message for World Environment Day
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.