The ‘oil city’ Hoima may be known for its abundance of trees, giving it a unique character in this age of global warming. To expand the Hoima Beautiful’s character to its periphery, the president of Young Water Professionals Uganda chapter, Mr. John Fisher Sekabira has Friday morning flagged off a tree planting initiative that will see over 1,000,000 trees planted in all National Water and Sewerage Corporation areas of operation by 2019.
The YWPs a group of youth working in the water sector are affiliated to the International Water Association (IWA) and the African water Association (AFWA). In Uganda, the group is hosted and supported by National Water and Sewerage Corporation.
Speaking at the launch of the tree planting exercise in Hoima, the President applauded the YWP Hoima team and area manager Eng Moses Nandigobe for kick starting the greening initiative. The group will plant over 20,000 trees,plant live fences around all NWSC installations and work with communities to restore some wetlands working with National Forestry Authority, NEMA, Ministry of water and Environment and other partners.
He further appreciated and applauded the youth for the efforts to protect our environment. “Earth is our home.We need to protect our water sources, plant trees and sensitise residents about the dangers of encroachment on the environment. Let’s take care of the environment and it will take care of us.” he added.
Recently the group launched a hands washing campaign to promote sanitation and health in primary and secondary schools in Uganda.
NWSC Western and South West Senior Manager Operations Eng Mahmood Lutaaya shared that the corporation is supporting the Young Water Professionals programme with an aim of building future sector leaders. “The future of the sector lies in the young people and the corporation is empowering them to take leadership positions for continuous innovation and transformation in the water, environment and sanitation sector.”
