Absa Bank Uganda has achieved its goal of planting one million trees, surpassing the three-year timeline initially set for the program, which began in February 2023.
The bank’s tree planting initiative has seen remarkable progress, with 340,590 trees planted in 2023, 372,641 trees in 2024, and 568,086 trees in 2025. By August 2025, the total number of trees planted reached 1 million, with the current total standing at 1,281,317 trees.
During a recent tree planting activity at Kyanja View Primary School, Helen Basuuta Nangonzi, Absa Bank Uganda’s Director of Marketing and Customer Experience, highlighted the importance of partnerships in addressing climate change. “We recognize the need for collaboration in tackling the impact of climate change,” she said. “I am proud to say that through strategic partnerships, we have reached this significant milestone, aligning with our commitment to building community resilience and mitigating environmental challenges. We will continue our efforts, knowing that trees play a critical role in biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.”
Absa’s tree planting initiative has been supported by a number of partners, including My Tree Initiative, the Ministry of Water and Environment through the Running Out of Trees (ROOTS) initiative, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Rotary Uganda, Makerere University, the Uganda Biodiversity Fund, and the Mwiri Old Boys Association, among others.
Basuuta further emphasized Absa’s commitment to addressing societal challenges. “Our drive to be a force for good is rooted in our desire to combat financial exclusion, which leaves many without access to essential banking services, and climate change, which threatens agriculture and livelihoods,” she said. “As a financial institution, we are uniquely positioned to create solutions that address these challenges through innovative partnerships and responsible capital deployment.”
She also reinforced the bank’s dedication to inclusive growth, noting, “Our focus on financial inclusion ensures that individuals, SMEs, and underserved communities can actively participate in the economy. This drives the way we structure credit, expand access to financial services, and provide tailored advisory support. Our efforts go beyond financial literacy; we are committed to enabling people and businesses to access financing, grow, and create jobs, directly contributing to Uganda’s development goals.”
Enjer Ashiraf, Executive Director of My Tree Initiative, expressed his appreciation for the partnership, stating, “We are honored to partner with Absa Bank Uganda in achieving this milestone. This accomplishment demonstrates the power of collaboration and collective action toward a greener, more sustainable future.”
Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP) IV recognizes the country’s vulnerability to climate change as a significant threat to sustainable development. The plan highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as floods, landslides, and droughts. The unsustainable use of natural resources has led to a significant decline in national forest cover, from 24% in 1990 to just 13.3% in 2022. Similarly, wetland cover has decreased from 15% to 13% by 2019, underscoring the urgency of restoration efforts.
