KCCA Workers at the Helm of Fighting Environment.

By David Serumaga

The nation was shocked by a disturbing video showing workers from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) destroying the environment in the city center.

The video, depicting an unpatriotic act, has sparked public outrage and raised questions about the rationale behind removing royal palm trees donated by prominent businessman and investor, Hajji Hamis Kiggundu.

In January, Kiggundu generously contributed 100,000 royal palm trees to KCCA’s green initiatives, aiming to beautify the city and promote an environmentally friendly urban landscape.

Urban areas are responsible for an estimated 75% of global carbon emissions, making city-level actions crucial in the fight against climate change.

The removal of these royal palm trees by KCCA is not just a misguided act; it could lead to long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, posing significant risks to human and ecological survival.

These trees play a vital role in stabilizing life by absorbing and storing carbon, a simple yet critical process in preventing disastrous climate change.

When Kiggundu donated these trees, many Ugandans were pleased, as numerous trees in the city were old and needed replacement. This initiative aligned with the broader goal of creating a smart and environmentally conscious city.

The key questions are: why were these trees removed just months after planting? Is KCCA undermining its own tree-planting and city beautification initiatives? Why did they allow Kiggundu to invest his time and money under the supervision of KCCA officials only to remove the trees later?

Our leaders must honor the patriotic gestures of the people they govern for the country to progress. Attacking the environment is unjustifiable, and we strongly condemn KCCA’s actions.

We demand an explanation from KCCA’s administration regarding their decision to remove the royal palm trees and ask for a clear plan to replace them.