Stanbic in UGX 10m boost to Run4Climate campaign

June 15, 2025 in Business, Companies, Land & Agriculture by Editor

Stanbic Bank Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by injecting UGX 10 million into the upcoming Run4Climate marathon, the flagship event of the national Running Out of Trees (ROOTS) campaign. The contribution, announced on Thursday, marks the bank’s third consecutive year of partnership with the initiative.

The 5th edition of the annual marathon is slated for June 29 at the Lugogo Hockey Grounds in Kampala and aims to rally mass support for Uganda’s tree-planting drive, which targets 40 million trees per year—one for every Ugandan citizen. It is organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment in collaboration with Tree Adoption Uganda (TAU).

“Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It’s here and impacting lives, livelihoods, and development,” said Baziwe Alan, Vice President for the Public Sector at Stanbic Bank, during a press briefing. “That’s why we’re proud to support Run4Climate..”

Uganda’s deforestation crisis is at the heart of the ROOTS campaign. The country’s forest cover has shrunk dramatically—from 54pc in 1900 to just 12% today. Over the past century alone, Uganda lost over 41pc of its forests. The ecological consequences have been severe: erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, floods, and landslides, particularly in vulnerable areas such as Bududa in the east and parts of the western highlands.

The Run4Climate initiative seeks to reverse this trend by galvanizing public action around tree planting. Beyond symbolic participation, seedlings are distributed widely—including in disaster-prone zones and primary schools—where youth engagement is helping cultivate a culture of environmental stewardship.

Stanbic Bank’s contribution to environmental protection extends beyond tree planting. In 2024, the bank recycled over 9,200 kilograms of single-use plastic, cut paper use by nearly 40pc through expanded digital banking services, and worked with Global Paper Limited to convert paper waste into eco-products. It has also earmarked UGX 62 billion to support green businesses in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and waste management.

Government officials say such partnerships are crucial. Issa Katwesigye, Assistant Commissioner for Forestry in the Ministry of Water and Environment, emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration. “Combating climate change requires all of us—from individuals to institutions—to act urgently and collaboratively,” he said. “Run4Climate is not just about running or planting trees; it’s also about safeguarding Uganda’s future.”

Katwesigye also noted that the ministry, through TAU, has introduced tree-mapping technologies to monitor survival rates and improve accountability. The campaign ties into Uganda’s national pledge under global climate agreements to plant 2.5 million trees annually as part of a larger target of 300 million trees by 2030.

With momentum building, this year’s Run4Climate represents not only an athletic event but also a growing movement toward collective climate action. Katwesigye urged broad public participation, warning that failure to act decisively could push the country’s ecological balance beyond the point of recovery.

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