Stanbic Bank Uganda has injected Shs10 million into this year’s Run4Climate marathon, reaffirming its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action. The marathon, now in its fifth edition, is the flagship initiative under the Running Out of Trees (ROOTS) campaign aimed at combating deforestation and promoting reforestation across Uganda.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Baziwe Alan, Vice President for the Public Sector at Stanbic Bank, said the bank’s support is rooted in its broader sustainability strategy.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It’s here and impacting lives, livelihoods, and development,” Baziwe stated. “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 2025 edition of Run4Climate is scheduled for June 29 at the Hockey Grounds in Lugogo. The event seeks to rally nationwide participation in tree planting, with the ambitious goal of planting 40 million trees annually a symbolic reflection of Uganda’s population.
Organized by the Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with Tree Adoption Uganda (TAU), the initiative was launched in response to Uganda’s sharp decline in forest cover from 54% in 1900 to just 12% today. According to data cited, the country lost 41.6% of its forest cover between 1921 and 2021, worsening climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and landslides.
Issa Katwesigye, Assistant Commissioner for Forestry at the Ministry, emphasized the importance of collective action and partnerships in fighting climate change.
“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,” Katwesigye said.
He revealed that the ministry has entered into climate partnerships with several cultural institutions including the Buganda, Bunyoro, Tooro, and Rwenzururu kingdoms, aimed at localizing climate action. Additionally, TAU has introduced tree mapping technology to monitor tree survival and growth, ensuring better transparency and accountability.
Beyond tree planting, Stanbic Bank’s environmental efforts in 2024 included recycling over 9,200 kilograms of plastic waste and cutting down paper use by nearly 40% through increased adoption of digital banking. The bank also partnered with Global Paper Limited to convert paper waste into eco-products and committed UGX 62 billion to support green businesses in agriculture, waste management, and renewable energy.
The Run4Climate campaign also contributes to Uganda’s international pledge to plant 2.5 million trees annually as part of the global target of 300 million by 2030.
Katwesigye urged the public to join this year’s marathon and be part of reversing the country’s environmental degradation. “If we do not act now, the damage could become irreversible,” he warned.
