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BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2026
The prelate has translated the book of Genesis, chapter two, verse fifteen into practical action demonstrate his firm belief and faith in God’ divine command to humanity to protect the earth and its environs.
Soon after his consecration as the bishop of the Madi and West Nile diocese, Rt Rev Charles Collins Andaku began the greening project to contain and cushion the region from the adverse effects of climate change.
As he celebrates the ninths anniversary of his stewardship of the Anglicans, the report card from his specially created department in charge of the environment reads, 21,583 trees planted on 300 acres of church land.
“We launched the diocesan tree planting project to green the diocese, be tree friendly, live in harmony with nature and conserve our environment for the future generations,” Andaku stated.
He emphasized that the greening initiative was also geared at addressing the serious environmental dangers in the region and fight challenges caused by global warming and other climate hazards.
To achieve this, the bishop decreed the third Sunday of March as Tree Sunday where clerics and church ministers preach about the importance of planting trees and conserving the environment as a fulfillment of God’s divine command.
The week before that Sunday is marked as tree planting week as Christians and environmentalists, activists and corporate organizations join the church in pushing the environment protection initiative.
The bishop has created a position for tree wardens in every parish and archdeaconry to oversee the planting and maintenance of the trees.
The wardens were given bicycles to ease their movement to monitor the tree estates and plantations and supervise the project.
He said this is a good example of proper utilization of church land to benefit the Christians and the entire region.
Accordingly, the Anglican diocese engages confirmation candidates, members of the christian women fellowship and the mothers’ union to each plant three trees annually or pay sh1,000 to support the implementation of the tree planting strategy.
Among the species prioritized for planting Mahogany, cocoa, Mvule, tik, gravellier, Neem, guava, jack fruit, pine and eucalyptus which provide the church with a wide spectrum of benefits ranging from short term to long term.
