Pader town breathes new life through bold greening initiative

27 November 2025, 18:46

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Pader Town Council is undergoing a remarkable environmental transformation driven by a six-year greening initiative launched in 2019.

Spearheaded by LCIII Chairperson Kilama Fearless Wod-Acholi, the project aims to turn the fast-growing town into one of the greenest urban centres in northern Uganda by 2031, with an ambitious target of planting three million trees.

The effort began with leaders planting trees themselves to set an example before extending the initiative to institutions and the wider community.

A key component of the campaign is a policy requiring all commercial landlords to plant Ashok trees, which are safe for buildings and remain green throughout the year.

To encourage compliance, the Town Council introduced a 10% reduction in occupation permit fees or property rates for landlords who plant and maintain the trees.

Kilama argues that this system is fair, as individuals who plant trees are already contributing to environmental protection.

He also links the initiative to cultural heritage, noting that earlier generations preserved natural spaces long before modern environmental education existed.

The greening campaign has inspired strong community participation. Mr Danish Obwona, a businessman from DEFLO Investments, embraced the initiative wholeheartedly after the council distributed seedlings and provided guidance on planting.

He and others dug holes, applied manure, and planted trees, while also adding additional greenery such as asparagus and parsley.

However, maintenance soon became a challenge, as goats frequently grazed on the young plants, forcing residents to use wire mesh and continuous pruning to protect them.

Despite the challenges, Obwona is proud of the visible impact the greenery has made and urges residents to pay taxes responsibly so that the council can maintain public infrastructure and environmental projects.

He also highlights the need for a change in mindset, warning that climate change is already altering weather patterns in Uganda.

He stresses that environmental conservation requires consistent planning, enforcement, and community collaboration.

According to him, some landlords planted trees but failed to maintain them, and authorities should enforce rules requiring proper care, not just planting.

Another resident, Akello Pamela, who runs God’s Favor Shops, also supports the greening project.

She received three tree seedlings from the council, but two were uprooted by unknown individuals.

She continues to care for the surviving tree, which has thrived, and even tends to a neighbour’s tree.

Pamela appreciates the 10% tax deduction and encourages more residents to take environmental responsibility seriously.

Despite significant progress, the initiative faces ongoing challenges. Stray animals threaten seedlings, urban farmers continue cultivating wetlands, and some residents have lived in their homes for decades without planting a single tree.

To address this, the Town Council plans to restore grazing grounds, fence off vulnerable areas, and integrate eco-parks, recreational centres, and environmental zones into Pader’s urban physical plan.

Kilama insists that this long-term vision is linked to the town’s goal of achieving municipal status.

He calls on young people to embrace technology, global knowledge, and environmental activism.

He emphasises that the success of the greening initiative depends on collective responsibility, adding that the environment belongs to everyone.

Overall, the Pader greening movement stands as a growing example of community-led climate action and sustainable urban planning in northern Uganda.