SFC LAUNCHES BARRACKS GREENING CAMPAIGN
18 APRIL 2026
By our Reporter
At the Special Forces Training School, Fort Samora Machel in Kaweweta, Nakaseke District, the Special Forces Command (SFC) has launched a tree-planting initiative aimed at greening its barracks and strengthening environmental protection efforts.
Speaking at the event, Lt Col Edison Beyendera, Commandant of the training school, emphasized that environmental conservation is a core objective of the SFC, underscoring the military’s growing role in climate action and sustainable land use.
He also appreciated Dr. Jibril Semakura Owomugisha, the event cordinator, for his continued efforts in tree planting since 2020, noting the importance of sustained individual and institutional commitment to restoring degraded landscapes.
"Aerial surveillance becomes so easy in an open space compared to forested lands. Tree Planting will not only help us to improve our security, but also enabling us to improve food security within all Barracks," said Dr. Owomugisha.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment under the Running Out of Trees (ROOTs) Campaign, led by Roofings Group Ltd. It commenced with the donation of 3,000 assorted tree seedlings, including mangoes, jackfruit, avocado, grevillea, and pine, some of which have already been planted.
The ROOTs Campaign seeks to mobilize nationwide tree planting efforts to restore Uganda’s forest cover, which has declined from 24% in 1990 to 13% today, raising concerns over environmental degradation, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
Partners such as Environmental Alert, Buganda Kingdom, Every Birthday Tree Day Initiative, Million Trees International, and Busoga College were recognized for their contributions as highlighted by Ms Jacinta Nekesa on behalf of the Campaign.
The partners plan to plant 15,000 trees at the barracks, with the initiative expected to expand to other SFC barracks across the country, reinforcing a broader commitment to conservation, resilience, and sustainable development within military establishments.
