Climate change, drought threaten tree planting efforts in Pader despite progress

30 July 2026, 10:04 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

Climate change, prolonged drought, destruction of young trees by free-ranging livestock and the increasing demand for tree seedlings are threatening environmental conservation efforts in Pader District despite ongoing interventions being implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Uganda with funding from the Swedish development organisation ERIKS.

The concerns were raised during a meeting between Pader District leaders, SOS Children’s Villages Uganda and officials from ERIKS at the office of the LCV Chairperson before the delegation embarked on a field verification visit to assess the impact of the programme.

The District Forest Officer, Martine Okello, said schools and communities have embraced tree planting and environmental conservation, but the programme continues to face significant challenges that require collective action.

He said prolonged drought has reduced the survival rate of tree seedlings planted in schools and communities, while free-ranging livestock continue to destroy many young trees before they mature.

He explained that although environmental awareness has mainly targeted learners, there is a need to expand sensitisation to communities so that residents understand the effects of climate change and take greater responsibility for protecting natural resources.

Okello also said demand for tree seedlings from schools and communities has grown beyond the district’s production capacity, prompting plans to expand tree nurseries and strengthen the protection of newly planted trees.

He added that the Natural Resources Department is piloting the introduction of energy-efficient cookstoves in schools to reduce firewood consumption, improve kitchen conditions and lessen pressure on forest resources.

Representing the LCV Chairperson, Patrick Okello, the Vice Chairperson of Pader District Local Government, commended SOS Children’s Villages Uganda and ERIKS for supporting environmental conservation and community development initiatives in the district.

He said the district leadership was impressed by interventions such as school tree planting and environmental awareness and pledged continued political support to ensure the programmes succeed.

He appealed to the organisation and its donor to expand the interventions to more sub-counties if resources permit, saying many communities would benefit from similar programmes.

The Vice Chairperson also assured the development partners of the district’s commitment to transparency, urging them to report any cases of corruption that could affect project implementation.

Speaking at the same meeting, Angelina N. Twinonusuni, Programme Officer for ERIKS East Africa, said the donor’s visit was aimed at verifying whether activities documented in project reports were producing tangible results in the communities.

She praised the district’s technical team and local leadership for their commitment, saying the involvement of local government structures gives ERIKS confidence that the interventions will remain sustainable beyond the funding period.

She, however, expressed concern over reports of tree seedlings being taken from project sites, saying environmental conservation must be accompanied by character development and community responsibility.

Twinonusuni acknowledged that the global donor environment remains uncertain due to shifting international priorities but reaffirmed ERIKS’ commitment to working alongside SOS Children’s Villages Uganda and the Pader District Local Government to strengthen climate resilience and improve the lives of vulnerable communities.

The environmental conservation programme has supported schools and communities through tree planting, establishment of woodlots, environmental education and other climate resilience initiatives aimed at restoring forest cover and promoting sustainable natural resource management across Pader District.