Jinja – Kakira Sugar Limited has joined hands with Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) to protect the environment by planting more trees within the Busoga region.
This is in celebration of the World Environment Month that kicked off on 5th June 2022 under the theme “Only One Earth”, focusing on “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature”.
While launching the kick off activities at Kakira Sugar Limited/factory in Jinja on Wednesday, Robert Kwesiga, Secretary General- Uganda Red Cross Society appreciated the company for coming on board to accelerate climate action and environmental conservation for future generations by planting of trees.
Kwesiga added that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) front environmental degradation, sustainability, climate change, and water security as global goals aimed at thriving an economy that works for people and the planet. The SDGs further highlight the importance of improving corporate awareness by measuring and disclosing environmental impact to the management of carbon and climate risk.
“To this end, URCS collaborates with a diversified portfolio of partners including the Government of Uganda, the United Nations, Red Cross National Societies, Civil Society Organizations and private corporate entities among others. Having Kakira Sugar Works join the cause to plant more trees is uplifting the climate action agenda in Uganda, which we can deliver through a multi-sectoral approach that not only involves organizations but individuals as well,” Kwesiga added.
Kakira Sugar Limited General Manager Christian Vincke said, “As Kakira Sugar Limited, we have made it a priority to protect the environment and mitigate effects of climate change through generating green renewable energy, appropriating CO2 through our green fields and trees planted across Kakira and Kayunga estates, treating our effluents and sustainably managing our solid waste and use of water because as a business we cannot imagine prosperity without environment which was inspired by our founders to protect our environment by living sustainably in harmony with nature and biodiversity.
Vincke added, “In collaboration with all stakeholders like Uganda Red Cross Society, our goal of zero harm to the environment and to minimise negative impact of climate change is possible by all of us collectively contributing to make our planet greener and healthier place for us to live and enjoy life and create a sustainable brighter future for our communities.”
He noted that Kakira Sugar Limited is committed to reducing environmental impact and is continuously working towards improving the environmental operations performance.
“Kakira Sugar Limited has partnered with URCS to donate 15,000 tree seedlings through our agriculture department which supports continuous conservation of the environment. We believe that these trees will further conserve the environment specifically in Busoga region where we operate.” Remarked Vincke
Kwesiga concluded by noting that the tree seedlings will be distributed within Busoga region, specifically Jinja and Iganga districts to public institutions such as schools through the URCS school club links, to ensure that the trees benefit the wider communities
