KAMPALA – Stanbic Bank has renewed its commitment in support of environmental sustainability with a UGX 10 million sponsorship for the 5th edition of Run4Climate, an annual marathon and the flagship initiative of the Running Out of Trees (ROOTS) campaign.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It’s here and impacting lives, livelihoods, and development,” Baziwe Alan, Vice President Public sector at Stanbic Bank said during a news conference on Thursday.
He said, “That’s why we’re proud to support Run4Climate for the third consecutive year. Environmental protection is not just a CSR checkbox; it’s a core part of our sustainability strategy, embedded in our purpose as Stanbic Bank, ‘Uganda is our home we drive her growth’.
The event is scheduled to take place on June 29, 2025, at the Hockey grounds in Lugogo with the aim of planting 40 million trees annually, representing Uganda’s current population.
Organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with Tree Adoption Uganda (TAU), this year’s edition continues the tradition of mobilizing nationwide action against climate change by raising funds and mass awareness for tree planting.
ROOTS was initiated to respond to Uganda’s alarming rate of deforestation, which has seen the country’s forest cover plummet from 54% in 1900 to just 12% today.
Between 1921 and 2021, Uganda lost 41.6% of its forest cover, contributing to rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and increased frequency of floods and landslides, particularly in western and eastern regions. These effects have endangered lives, disrupted agriculture, and strained national development efforts.
To counteract this, the Run4Climate initiative targets mass reforestation by encouraging each Ugandan to plant at least one tree per year. In recent years, seedlings have been distributed across the country, including in landslide-prone Bududa and in several primary schools, where young people are being engaged in climate education and action.
However, Stanbic Bank’s environmental initiatives go beyond tree planting. In 2024 alone, the bank recycled 9,234 kilogrammes of single-use plastic bottles, and reduced paper usage by 39.6% through adoption of digital banking platforms.
The bank also partnered with Global Paper Limited to recycle bank paper waste into eco-friendly products.
Other measures include the availability of UGX 62 billion for green businesses, supporting innovation and sustainability in agriculture, waste management, and renewable energy.
Issa Katwesigye, the Assistant Commissioner for Forestry in the Ministry of Water and Environment, said the government is combating climate change through partnerships. He cited agreements with cultural institutions, including the Kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, Tooro, and Rwenzururu, helping to localize climate action issues across communities.
“Combating climate change requires all of us, from individuals to institutions, to act urgently and collaboratively. Run4Climate is not just about running or planting trees; it’s also about safeguarding Uganda’s future,” he said.
He added that the partnership with TAU has introduced tree mapping technology to track the growth and survival of planted trees, improving accountability and impact measurement.
The Run4Climate initiative also contributes to Uganda’s commitment under the global target of planting 300 million trees by 2030, with Uganda pledging to contribute 2.5 million annually.
Katwesigye called upon as many Ugandans as possible to take in part in this year’s run to help reverse environmental degradation before it becomes irreversible.
