Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) has announced its sponsorship of the 5th SDG Marathon 2023 set to take place on the 29th of October, 2023.
Addressing journalists at Kingdom Kampala, Samuel Matekha, the Head of Communications and Marketing at DTB said that the bank has sponsored as one of its initiatives in implementing the sustainability agenda. The bank contributed USD 5000 (Five thousand US dollars) towards the marathon promoting the implementation of SDG goals.
“As a financial institution, we know that we cannot survive without being part of the sustainability agenda. We are implementing an ESG strategy that is implementing various pillars of sustainability of mother earth, our community, and business.” Says Matekha.
He adds: “We are looking at planting 2 million trees across Uganda and the purpose is to reduce the carbon emission coming from the communities we operate in. This and other initiatives will be deployed to support the work alongside like-minded partners to tackle climate change”.
On her part, Rebecca Kadaga, the Deputy Prime Minister extended her heartfelt gratitude to Diamond Trust Bank and other partners for their unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable development especially the SDG Run 2023.
“The proceeds from this year’s SDG RUN will be dedicated to the installation of a Solar Power supply system for Buliisa Health Centre IV in Buliisa district and planting trees in the same district to mitigate the impacts of climate change that may arise from oil processing in the Albertine region,” says Kadaga.
Other partners for the run include the World Wildlife Nature Fund. Speaking at the Marathon launch, Ivan Tumuhimbise, a Country Director for the World Wide Nature Fund, said only 40% of households In Uganda depend on electricity, and the rest depend on biomass yet these are the ones that practice deforestation.
“We have got to work together to ensure that there are mechanisms that are able to disrupt dependency on biomass. Therefore through planting trees, we shall be able to curb these practices hence increasing afforestation,” says Tumuhimbise.
He emphasizes the need to work jointly to promote energy efficiency and other SDGs.
The marathon will happen on Sunday 29th October 2023. Runners will set off at 6:30 a.m. at Kololo ceremonial grounds.
