KAMPALA, Uganda – Stanbic Bank has renewed its commitment in support of environmental sustainability with a UGX 10 million sponsorship for the 5th edition of Run4Climate, an annual marathon and
the flagship initiative of the Running Out of Trees (ROOTS) campaign.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It’s here and impacting lives,
livelihoods, and development,” Baziwe Alan, Vice President Public sector at
Stanbic Bank said during a news conference on Thursday.
He said, “That’s why we’re proud to support Run4Climate for the third consecutive
year. Environmental protection is not just a CSR checkbox; it’s a core part of
our sustainability strategy, embedded in our purpose as Stanbic Bank, ‘Uganda
is our home we drive her growth’.
The event is scheduled to take place on June 29, 2025, at the Hockey grounds in
Lugogo with the aim of planting 40 million trees annually, representing
Uganda’s current population.
Organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with Tree Adoption
Uganda (TAU), this year’s edition continues the tradition of mobilizing
nationwide action against climate change by raising funds and mass awareness
for tree planting.
ROOTS was initiated to respond to Uganda’s alarming rate of deforestation, which has
seen the country’s forest cover plummet from 54% in 1900 to just 12% today.
Between 1921 and 2021, Uganda lost 41.6% of its forest cover, contributing to rising
temperatures, prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and increased frequency of
floods and landslides, particularly in western and eastern regions. These
effects have endangered lives, disrupted agriculture, and strained national
development efforts.
To counteract this, the Run4Climate initiative targets mass reforestation by
encouraging each Ugandan to plant at least one tree per year. In recent years,
seedlings have been distributed across the country, including in
landslide-prone Bududa and in several primary schools, where young people are
being engaged in climate education and action.
However, Stanbic Bank’s environmental initiatives go beyond tree planting. In 2024
alone, the bank recycled 9,234 kilogrammes of single-use plastic bottles, and
reduced paper usage by 39.6% through adoption of digital banking platforms.
The bank also partnered with Global Paper Limited to recycle bank paper waste into
eco-friendly products.
Other measures include the availability of UGX 62 billion for green businesses,
supporting innovation and sustainability in agriculture, waste management, and
renewable energy.
Issa Katwesigye, the Assistant Commissioner for Forestry in the
Ministry of Water and Environment, said the government is combating
climate change through partnerships. He cited agreements with cultural
institutions, including the Kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, Tooro, and
Rwenzururu, helping to localize climate action issues across communities.
“Combating climate change requires all of us, from individuals to institutions, to act
urgently and collaboratively. Run4Climate is not just about running or planting
trees; it’s also about safeguarding Uganda’s future,” he said.
He added that the partnership with TAU has introduced tree mapping technology to
track the growth and survival of planted trees, improving accountability and
impact measurement.
The Run4Climate initiative also contributes to Uganda’s commitment under the global
target of planting 300 million trees by 2030, with Uganda pledging to
contribute 2.5 million annually.
Katwesigye called upon as many Ugandans as possible to take in part in this year’s run to
help reverse environmental degradation before it becomes irreversible.
