Stanbic Bank Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by pledging UGX 10 million in support of the 5th edition of Run4Climate, a flagship annual marathon under the Running Out of Trees (ROOTS) campaign.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Baziwe Alan, Vice President for the Public Sector at Stanbic Bank, underscored the urgency of climate action. “Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is here and already impacting lives, livelihoods, and national development,” he said.
“That’s why we’re proud to support Run4Climate for the third year in a row. Environmental protection is not just a CSR activity; it’s a strategic priority embedded in our purpose—‘Uganda is our home; we drive her growth.’”
Scheduled for June 29, 2025, at the Lugogo Hockey Grounds, this year’s Run4Climate aims to mobilise nationwide participation and awareness in support of Uganda’s goal to plant 40 million trees annually—symbolically representing one tree for every Ugandan.
The event is organised by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with Tree Adoption Uganda (TAU). It serves as a key platform for advancing the country’s response to climate change and reversing environmental degradation through reforestation and climate education.
The ROOTS campaign was launched in response to Uganda’s alarming deforestation rates, which have seen forest cover decline from 54% in 1900 to just 12% today. Between 1921 and 2021 alone, Uganda lost 41.6% of its forested land, contributing to erratic weather patterns, rising temperatures, droughts, floods, and landslides, particularly in the country’s western and eastern regions. These changes have threatened food security, displaced communities, and disrupted national development.
Run4Climate seeks to counter this trend by encouraging every Ugandan to plant at least one tree per year. Seedlings have been distributed in vulnerable areas such as Bududa and in primary schools nationwide, where students are actively engaged in tree planting and climate learning initiatives.
Stanbic Bank’s environmental efforts extend far beyond tree planting. In 2024, the bank: recycled over 9,234 kilograms of single-use plastic bottles, reduced internal paper usage by 39.6% through the adoption of digital banking platforms, partnered with Global Paper Limited to convert bank paper waste into eco-friendly products, and made UGX 62 billion in financing available to support green enterprises in agriculture, waste management, and renewable energy sectors.
Issa Katwesigye, Assistant Commissioner for Forestry at the Ministry of Water and Environment, emphasised the importance of inclusive and collaborative climate action.
“Addressing climate change requires urgent and united action—from individuals to institutions,” he said. “Run4Climate is not just about running or planting trees. It’s about protecting Uganda’s future.”
He noted that partnerships with cultural institutions such as the Kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, Tooro, and Rwenzururu have helped localise climate action, fostering community ownership and participation.
Katwesigye also highlighted the use of innovative tree-mapping technology developed in partnership with TAU, which enables better tracking of tree survival and impact.
Run4Climate contributes directly to Uganda’s national commitment under the global initiative to plant 300 million trees by 2030. Uganda has pledged to plant 2.5 million trees annually as part of this target.
Katwesigye called on Ugandans across the country to participate in the upcoming Run4Climate 2025. “We must act now—collectively and decisively—before environmental degradation reaches an irreversible tipping point.”
