MUKONO — Equity Bank Uganda, in partnership with My Tree Initiative Uganda, has launched the Equi Green Schools Programme, an ambitious environmental initiative aimed at planting, protecting and nurturing 200,000 trees across Uganda by December 2027.
The programme was officially launched on 25th September 2026, at Nakanyonyi Secondary School in Mukono District, where Equity Bank, My Tree Initiative and other stakeholders joined students in planting 3,500 trees.
The initiative will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, running until the end of 2026, targets 50,000 trees across 25 schools in 10 districts.
The programme will then be expanded in 2027, with an additional 150,000 trees expected to be planted through school orchards and other environmental conservation activities.
The partnership builds on previous collaboration between Equity Bank and My Tree Initiative, including the planting of 1,500 trees at Kyasanku Hill College in Mpigi District.
Hon. Rtd. Gen. Katumba Wamala, Chief Planter and Minister for Public Service, commended Equity Bank Uganda and My Tree Initiative for taking practical steps towards environmental conservation and addressing climate change.
“This programme is about restoring our environment. The environment has a way of revenging because we have severely disturbed it; what you see in this extreme sunshine is nature fighting back,” Katumba said.
He described the partnership as an important effort towards environmental restoration and called on other private-sector players to emulate Equity Bank’s initiative.
Speaking at the launch, Gift Shoko, Managing Director of Equity Bank Uganda, said the programme was designed to give young people a direct role in protecting the environment.
“This is more than a tree-planting initiative. It is a commitment to the future of our environment, our communities and, most importantly, the young people who will inherit the Uganda we build today,” Shoko said.
He added that involving students in tree planting would help turn climate action into a practical experience that young people could understand and take ownership of.
“Economic transformation and environmental sustainability must go hand in hand. Our responsibility is not simply to plant trees, but to plant, protect, and nurture them to thrive for generations to come,” Shoko said.
Enjer Ashiraf, Executive Director of My Tree Initiative, welcomed the partnership, saying collaboration was essential in achieving meaningful environmental conservation.
“If you want to go far, you go with others. We are thankful to Equity Bank for their generous partnership in spearheading this annual Green Schools Programme,” Enjer said.
He noted that Equity Bank had previously supported the planting of 1,500 trees at Kyasanku Hill College and was now expanding its environmental efforts by involving students in hands-on conservation activities.
George Wateta, Head Teacher of Nakanyonyi Secondary School, described the programme as a major milestone for the institution.
“We believe education goes beyond the classroom, and by engaging our students in environmental restoration, we are nurturing responsible citizens who appreciate the value of protecting nature,” Wateta said.
He said the trees planted through the programme would provide a lasting environmental legacy for future generations of learners.
The Equi Green Schools Programme forms part of Equity Bank’s broader environmental sustainability agenda and supports Equity Group’s target of planting 35 million trees across East Africa under its Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Uganda’s forest cover has declined significantly over the past decades, largely due to deforestation, agricultural expansion and unsustainable land-use practices.
By targeting schools, the programme seeks to turn educational institutions into centres for climate education, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and environmental stewardship.
Equity Bank Uganda says its environmental interventions extend beyond tree planting. Over the past five years, the bank has supported the planting of more than 60,000 trees, provided over UGX 34 billion in climate financing, and supported more than 800 green enterprises to expand their businesses, access markets and contribute to sustainable community development.
