Civil Society group Little Hands Go Green in partnership with the Commonwealth Games Federation of Uganda (CWGF-U), National Forestry Authority (NFA), and the Ministry of Water and Environment undertook a soft launch of the Commonwealth Forest Initiative (CFI) in Mabira Forest, Buikwe District on Thursday.
As part of the launch, 74 indigenous trees were planted in Mabira Forest to represent the 74 nations and territories of the Commonwealth as a way to them through forest restoration, climate action, biodiversity conservation, and youth engagement. Mabira Forest is one of Uganda’s most important natural forests. It is a national treasure that supports biodiversity, regulates climate, protects water systems, provides livelihoods, and serves as an ecological classroom for present and future generations.
“The trees will serve as a living symbol of unity, shared responsibility, and collective action in addressing the global climate crisis,” Joseph Masembe, the Team Leader at Little Hands Go Green, said.
“The CFI is designed to extend far beyond the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. It aims to establish Mabira Forest as the permanent home of a growing Commonwealth Forest where participating nations can plant commemorative trees in honour of their athletes and para-athletes, creating a lasting environmental legacy that strengthens the bond between sport, nature, and sustainable development. Just as athletes train for excellence, we must also work consistently to restore and protect our forests,” he added.
Masembe, who founded the organisation in 2012, believes that major sporting events must not only inspire excellence in competition but also contribute positively to climate action and environmental stewardship.
“This is a timely initiative to green our sports. It fits within our goal to keep the environment sustained and mitigate the adverse effects of what climate change is doing,” Commonwealth Sport and CWGF-U president Donald Rukare, who was flanked by officials and staff from the CWGF-U, said.
This initiative, which has children at the heart of it, is built around three important actions: Plant, Protect, and Inspire.
It seeks to recognize each tree planted by an athlete or para-athlete as a living symbol of commitment, discipline, resilience, and responsibility.
“When children learn to plant and protect trees, they grow up understanding that nature is part of their future,” Derrick Rukundo, the regional forest officer, who represented Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Water and Environment Alfred Okot Okidi at the function, said.
Hon. Emmanuel Biara Wephukulu, Member of Parliament for Bulambuli Constitutency who did a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry from Makerere University re-echoed the same message with examples.
“Uganda and where I come in Bulambuli, we have been affected by mudslides and floods since 2010. These have spread from Bududa across the Elgon area. You experience the adverse effects of weather through floods in Kampala too.
“So, I come here to appreciate the efforts of the Commonwealth Games Association and Little Hands Go Green. When we use young ambassadors to appreciate afforestation, we are building the real force to reckon with in conservation and mitigation of climate change effects. Joseph always says that the brains of kids are like wet cement, what you tell them stays there forever,” Wephukulu said.
The effects of climate change are vast and also a reality in Ugandan sports. In fact the national netball team She Cranes, who will represent Uganda in Glasgow, were in the past years victims of cancelled training sessions due to heavy rains.
In the wider sports spectrum, even match schedules across various sports are affected by climate change. Issues of how athletes travel and dispose off waste are some of the concerns in the conservation debate.