Lira City Council to begin weekly tree planting scheme

Lira | Patrick Okwir, the speaker of Lira City Council, has announced that the Council will begin a weekly tree planting program.

It will take place every Monday, he said. The speaker encourages various stakeholders within and outside of Lira City to support the City’s vision of making the metropolitan area completely green and equitable.

Addressing various media outlets in Lira City on Monday at the Mayor’s Garden, Okwir urged non-governmental organizations, businesses, and individuals to donate tree seedlings in support of the beautification program.

He said that combating global warming is the goal of the plan. The council speaker described this initiative as “life-changing for both current and future generations.”

Enhancing the beauty of Lira City by planting trees with the goal of creating a healthy and conserved environment is a fundamental right of all citizens, he stated.

“This is going to go a long way to ensure that we live in a clean and healthy environment, which is envisaged under Article 39 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.”

At least fifty tree seedlings, including 25 mahogany and 25 mvule, were donated to the Council by the Global Forum For Development (GLOFORD), a non-governmental organization based in Lira City’s Junior Quarters.

The Forum made this contribution as part of their corporate social responsibility.

While applauding GLOFORD’s donation, Okwir emphasised that Lira City Council has a vision of planting trees throughout the ambitious green city.

Grace Dorothy Openy, a GLOFORD official, revealed that the organisation took the initiative to provide tree seedlings to Lira City Council as a way of giving back to the community.

She stated that they support the Lira City beautification program, which began at the Mayor’s garden.

According to Openy, this donation will serve as an inspiration for other Lira City-based organizations to participate in and embrace the role of assisting the City’s tree planting initiative.

It will create an environment that is remarkably conducive to health, she said.

Under the leadership of the late town clerk Theophilus Tibihika, Lira City Council set aside more than shs800 million for the city’s beautification in the fiscal year 2023/2024.

A portion of this money went toward fencing and greening the Mayor’s garden.

The City’s tree planting aligns with the theme for World Environment Day 2024: “Our Land, Our Future. We are Generation Restoration.”

By Joseph Okul