As Uganda grapples with the growing impact of climate change, financial institutions and sector players are increasingly turning to practical, community-driven solutions to build resilience and sustain livelihoods.
dfcu Bank, through its dfcu Foundation, in partnership with the Uganda Timber Growers Association (UTGA), marked World Environment Day with a tree planting and farmer training initiative in Mukono district, aimed at promoting sustainable forestry and enterprise development.
The activity, held at Ntakanfunvu, forms part of the foundation’s Tree Planting and Promotion Programme (T3P), a long-term strategy that links environmental conservation with income generation for rural communities.
Unlike conventional tree-planting drives, the initiative places emphasis on growing and nurturing trees to maturity, positioning forestry as a viable business rather than a one-off environmental gesture.
dfcu Foundation says it is targeting the planting and growth of more than 500,000 trees by 2029, with over 62,000 already planted and distributed in 2025 alone. During the World Environment Day event, more than 80 trees were planted as part of this broader effort.
The partnership with UTGA brings together financial expertise and technical forestry knowledge, enabling farmers to adopt sustainable practices while strengthening their business skills.
Speaking at the event, Dr James Ssemwanga, chairperson of UTGA and the dfcu Foundation board, said tree growing presents an opportunity for both environmental protection and wealth creation.
“We have the potential to create wealth and sustain it through the timber business while protecting the environment. We must grow and nurture trees that hold long-term value,” he said.
The initiative comes at a time when Uganda is facing increasing challenges linked to deforestation, land degradation and declining household incomes, particularly in rural areas.
By linking tree growing to enterprise development, stakeholders say farmers can build climate-resilient livelihoods while improving their incomes.
During the training sessions, participants were equipped with financial literacy skills, including budgeting, record-keeping, savings and access to credit—key elements in strengthening agribusiness performance.
UTGA, on the other hand, provided technical guidance on sustainable forestry practices, helping farmers improve productivity and better manage their woodlots.
Sharon Kalanzi, a business advisor at dfcu Foundation, underscored the importance of financial discipline in forestry enterprises, noting that better financial management enhances both sustainability and access to financing.
Stakeholders said such integrated approaches are critical in ensuring that environmental conservation efforts translate into tangible economic benefits for communities.
The event also marked the culmination of a series of UTGA regional cluster meetings held across the country, aimed at strengthening coordination among tree growers and sector players.
By embedding sustainability into its operations and partnerships, dfcu Bank is positioning itself as a key player in financing inclusive, climate-resilient growth while supporting communities to thrive both economically and environmentally.
