By Alice
In a bold step towards environmental conservation and climate resilience, American Tower Corporation (ATC) Uganda, a leading telecom infrastructure provider, has partnered with the National Forestry Authority (NFA) to restore tree cover in Uganda’s Central Forest Reserves.
The initiative, launched today in Oruha Forest Reserve, Kyenjojo District, saw the planting of 33,330 trees on 30 hectares of land, reinforcing ATC’s growing contribution to Uganda’s reforestation drive. Since 2021, ATC Uganda has now planted over 73,000 trees across the country, including in Lazarus Forest (Luwero) and Mabira Forest.
Speaking at the launch, Stuart Maniraguha, Acting Executive Director of NFA, applauded ATC Uganda for championing environmental stewardship, stressing that such partnerships are crucial for restoring degraded forests.
“Through initiatives like these, we can restore degraded ecosystems, regulate climate, maintain biodiversity, and improve the livelihoods of surrounding communities. Uganda’s forest cover has dropped from 24% in 1990 to just 12.7% today. Reforestation is no longer optional – it is an urgent necessity,” said Maniraguha.
The decline in forest cover has been largely driven by land conversion, population pressure, and unsustainable land-use practices. The resulting soil erosion, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and climate extremes highlight the urgency of conservation interventions.
Dorothy Ssemanda, CEO of ATC Uganda, reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability, noting that their strategy is anchored on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative.
“For ATC, tree planting goes beyond carbon offsetting. It is about restoring balance with nature, safeguarding biodiversity, protecting water catchments, and building resilience for communities that depend on these ecosystems,” Ssemanda said.
The partnership between ATC Uganda and NFA is expected to expand to other reserves in the coming years, contributing to the country’s wider climate adaptation and conservation agenda.