SOROTI — Community Integrated Development Initiatives (CIDI) has launched a series of activities ahead of this year’s Earth Day celebrations scheduled for April 22, as Soroti City prepares to host the event under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet.”
Speaking during a press briefing at Soroti City Council grounds, CIDI Advocacy Officer Inviolah Nambi outlined key activities lined up for the celebration. These include tree planting, market cleaning, establishment and strengthening of climate clubs in schools, and community dialogue on environmental conservation.
Nambi said the initiative is aimed at encouraging citizens to protect and conserve the environment by adopting sustainable practices, especially in agriculture.
“The goal is to protect mother earth by promoting good practices, including farming methods that preserve the environment,” she explained.
CIDI Coordinator Grace Akiteng emphasized that the celebrations will also focus on promoting afforestation as a solution to the increasing effects of climate change caused by deforestation.
She revealed that in Kaberamaido District, the organization has already mobilized smallholder farmers to plant trees as part of efforts to restore the environment.
“Some farmers initially questioned why they should plant trees they may not live to benefit from,” Akiteng said. “But I asked them, ‘Did you plant the trees you found here?’ That helped change their mindset.”
Akiteng noted that the last Earth Day celebration in the region was held in 2021 in Kaberamaido, and this year’s event has been brought to Soroti to reach more communities, especially those heavily dependent on agriculture.
She added that the campaign also promotes the use of organic pesticides instead of harmful chemicals, which not only pose risks to human health but also contribute to the decline of bee populations essential for pollination.
Local farmers have welcomed the initiative. Phoebe Ageo, a farmer from Oculoi Sub-county, shared her experience with the impacts of climate change and encouraged fellow farmers to embrace tree planting and sustainable farming practices.
“I have seen the effects of climate change. We must act now by planting trees and protecting our environment,” she said.
As part of the preparations, Africa Climate Reality Project Coordinator Simon Dembe engaged learners at Soroti Demonstration School in climate awareness activities, including the planting of 50 tree seedlings.
The school’s head teacher, Emmanuel Etieku, praised CIDI for the initiative, noting that pupils have shown great interest and will be assigned individual seedlings to nurture and monitor.
“This is a great opportunity for learners to take responsibility for the environment and understand the importance of conservation from an early age,” Etieku said.
With growing awareness and community involvement, stakeholders remain optimistic that this year’s Earth Day celebrations will inspire lasting environmental action across the Teso sub-region.
