Lira district launches new council term with memorial tree planting initiative

31 May 2026, 7:39 am

By Winnie Auma

Lira District has marked the beginning of the new local government term with a memorial tree-planting exercise aimed at promoting environmental conservation and greening the district.

The initiative, spearheaded by the District Natural Resources Department, saw councillors and other district leaders receive tree seedlings to plant at the district headquarters as they begin their five-year term in office, which runs from 2026 to 2031.

Speaking during the exercise, the Lira District Natural Resources Officer, Fabius Otike, said the tree-planting campaign is part of broader efforts to increase tree cover and encourage environmental protection across the district.

Otike revealed that his office distributed 34 Ashoka tree seedlings to councillors and other district leaders, urging them to plant and nurture the trees as a lasting symbol of their service to the people.He called on residents of Lira District and the wider Lango sub-region to embrace tree planting at household and community levels, noting that trees play a critical role in improving the environment, combating the effects of climate change, and preserving natural resources for future generations.

According to Otike, trees help improve air quality, provide shade, prevent soil erosion, and contribute to better public health and livelihoods.

The Lira District LCV Chairperson, RCM Okello Orik, welcomed the initiative and commended the Natural Resources Department for promoting environmental stewardship among leaders.Orik said the trees will not only beautify the district headquarters but also provide shade and serve as a lasting reminder of the council’s commitment to sustainable development.

He encouraged fellow councillors to lead by example by planting more trees at their homes and within their communities, emphasizing that environmental conservation requires collective responsibility.

The memorial tree-planting exercise comes at a time when government and environmental stakeholders are encouraging communities across the country to increase tree planting as a way of addressing deforestation, environmental degradation, and the growing impacts of climate change.