Million Trees International Organization (MTI) and Southern Range Nyanza Textile Ltd (NYTIL) have today donated fruit trees and face masks respectively to UPDF to mark the 43rd Tarehe Sita Anniversary celebrations that will be held in the Busoga sub-region.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, the Acting Deputy Chief Political Commissar Col Okei Rukogota and head of the Receiving Committee, lauded the two organizations for always supporting UPDF activities, saying this support demonstrates their Corporate Social Responsibility and trust they have in the UPDF. “Your contribution will strengthen our efforts as UPDF as we pay back to the people in the form of quick impact projects,” Col Rukogota stated.
Col Rukogota further lauded the two organizations for the generous contribution they voluntarily made to bolster the Civil-Military cooperation between civilians and UPDF. “The NRA now UPDF, on top of securing the territorial integrity of Uganda, it is also our role as a ‘peoples’ army’ to always give back to the various liberation struggles. This is the reason why we are here to receive the contribution from NYTIL and MTI to enable us carry out projects for some vulnerable groups in the general areas of the greater Busoga sub-region as we celebrate the 43rd T6 anniversary,” he elaborated.
On his part, the founding director of Million Trees International Organization, Dr. Jibril Ssemakura Owomugisha reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to restore the forest cover of the country that had been depleted from 24% in 1990 to 8.2% in 2018 and now recovered to 13% in 2023. “It gives me great pleasure to appreciate UPDF for the good work done towards environmental protection, subsidiary to the main role of ensuring security in Uganda, across the borders in the East African Community and the entire African Continent especially now that reafforestation has fully been embraced to increase forest cover in Uganda. My happiness is centred on the growing relationship between MTI Organization (Greening Uganda campaign) and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, UPDF,” Dr Owomugisha explained.
He announced a donation of several tree seedlings to the UPDF as the force celebrates its 43rd anniversary.“The donation of 12,000 assorted fruit trees for UPDF T6 2024 operations in the Busoga sub-region is timely and adds to our already existing efforts to increase forests on farmers’ land for food security, ends malnutrition and hunger, increases household incomes, and ends poverty within Busoga region. Picking and growing these trees during the April-May planting season will significantly benefit us all. Our already existing relationship with the Busoga Kingdom has ensured the provision of land for nursery bed establishment and tree growing,” he said.
He implored UPDF to consider instituting an Environment Directorate to enhance re-planting trees in all its units and also partner with MTI to make joint nursery beds.
Mr. Dave Dhiren, the Head of Sales at NYTIL reassured the receiving committee that NYTIL takes pride in associating with the UPDF as a valuable partner in development since 1996. He added that as such the UPDF and NYTIL continue to walk the long journey together in the creation of a self-sustaining, integrated national economy. “NYTIL is only duty bound to stand with the UPDF in facilitating the celebration of the great gains that we all know in the areas of restoration of peace and stability. Peace and stability have continued to foster economic growth and development in Uganda since local, regional and international investors find the country good for business. This can never be underestimated and it shall underpin NYTIL’s readiness to support the celebrations once called upon,” Mr Dhiren reiterated.
He then presented a donation of 500 cartons of face masks manufactured by the company at its Jinja-based factory.
The function was attended by the Deputy CIMIC Col Sam Ntambirwe, Deputy Defence Spokesperson Col Deo Akiiki, Southern Range Sales Manager Admit Pujara. Others from MTI included M.r Lubega Boaz, Mr Mutyaba Moses, katushabe Naome, and Ms Beatrice from NEMA, among others.
