On Friday in a show of solidarity and love for Mother Nature, residents of Entebbe put aside their differences and united as one to rally a tree planting save kitubulu forest reserve campaign.
Located adjacent to the Kitubulu beach way, it provides a breath taking back drop to the breezily waves providing an alluring scenic view as one transcends the kitubulu slope entering Entebbe Municipality from the Kampala City.
The gathering was a response to Entebbe Mayor Fabrcie Rulinda’s call to plant trees in the forest reserve in weeklong campaign against a sale of the 150-acre Kitubulu Forest to Tiang Tiang Group of Companies for development.
“This forest is ours and since they claim we didn’t plant the trees, let’s plant them, then when they come, we have a stake, it’s our property that we are protecting…. this is not politics, but it makes zero sense for environmental or moral reasons to cut an entries forest to put a hotel” Rulinda noted.
Rulinda noted that the initiative aims to restore the forest’s ecosystem, promote environmental sustainability, and ensure a safe and secure living environment for the community.
“We have so many places in Uganda that need development, Entebbe has over 70 hotels that are empty, I want to be clear that this is a No, so we are going to plant trees, anytime any of you see anyone here claiming to do business, remind them that it’s you who planted these trees and they have no right to destroy them” he said.
Notable among the Entebbe residents in the tree planting campaign was Rotarian and Rtd AIGP Asan Kasingye who in a post on his X (formerly twitter) called for the need to protect the forest which is under threat.
“The Kitubulu forest in Entebbe has stood the test of time. However, recent developments show degradation threatening our existence. Today, the Mayor Fabrice Rulinda mobilized us including the Rotary Club of Entebbe to protect this forest by planting more trees. Happy to stand for the cause” he posted.
The campaign saw a number of politicians both in the opposition and NRM put their differences aside, conservationists, schools and the whole community partake in the campaign.
