Pioneering Climate Action and Sustainable Education in East Africa

In the bustling city of Kampala, at the heart of East Africa, a dedicated individual named Moses Tusiime is sowing the seeds of transformation. Moses is a man with a mission, fueled by a fervent commitment to climate justice, social progress, and economic prosperity. His journey, transitioning from economics to law, has uniquely equipped him to confront some of the most pressing challenges of our era. He is doing so through a remarkable initiative known as the Omuti Initiative.

Moses, a native of Uganda, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Development Economics from Makerere University. Concurrently, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Law (LLB) at Cavendish University in Kampala. His journey toward championing environmental sustainability took a significant turn in 2019 when he invested his entire savings in a sugarcane farming venture. Little did he anticipate that this endeavor would serve as a profound lesson in the delicate equilibrium between human activities and environmental harmony.

During the same period, a nearby forest, crucial for regulating local weather patterns, was ruthlessly cleared to make way for industrial development. This unfortunate timing led to unpredictable rainfall patterns. The repercussions were severe, as the sugarcane crop withered during an unexpected dry spell and later succumbed to flooding when the rains finally arrived, resulting in substantial financial losses.

These events were a sobering awakening for Moses. He recognized the indispensable role trees play in maintaining ecological equilibrium and averting disasters such as flooding. His realization was further crystallized by his earlier involvement with an educational organization that conducted outreach programs in rural schools. During these visits, he observed a disheartening trend—a glaring absence of fruit trees in schools. Despite available land, many schools lacked fruit-bearing trees, and the community’s trees were often inaccessible to children due to claims by market traders. This lack of access to nutritious fruits left many children vulnerable to nutrient deficiency illnesses. During class breaks, students yearned for something as basic as a piece of fruit, but these yearnings frequently went unfulfilled.

Through the Omuti Initiative, Moses aspires to rewrite this narrative by planting fruit trees within school compounds. This initiative aims not only to improve children’s access to nutritious food but also to provide an educational platform for comprehending the interrelationship between trees, climate, and sustainable living.

The term “Omuti” originates from the local Ugandan language, Luganda, signifying “tree.” Started in 2021, Omuti Initiative is a registered non-profit organization in Uganda. Moses and his team collaborate closely with government ministries, educational institutions, and environmental organizations. Their primary, ambitious goal is to plant and nurture over one million high-quality fruit tree seedlings across more than 25,000 primary and secondary schools in Uganda by 2030. To date, over 28,000 fruit trees have been planted.

The vision of Omuti Initiative extends beyond mere tree planting; it seeks to cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who recognize the crucial role of trees in mitigating the effects of climate change. The project endeavors not merely to increase forest cover but to instill the significance of healthy foods, nutrition, and environmental stewardship in the hearts and minds of Uganda’s children.

Moses’s journey assumed an international dimension when he represented Uganda at the African Climate Summit in Nairobi. His experiences and insights significantly contributed to the drafting of the Nairobi Declaration on Climate Change. In November, he is scheduled to attend COP28 in Dubai, further amplifying his voice on the global stage. Furthermore, his recent appearance on the HER Media Network podcast, hosted by the Thinking Water Mill Society, provided him with a platform to share his experiences from the African Climate Summit and his remarkable journey as an environmental advocate.

Moses’s story, characterized by resilience and unwavering dedication, serves as an inspiration to many. The Disrupt magazine acknowledges the importance of Moses’s efforts and experiences, aiming to offer a platform for him, the Omuti Initiative, and his valuable expertise to connect with potential partners and funders.

In a world grappling with the repercussions of climate change, individuals like Moses Tusiime shine as beacons of hope. His journey, from a challenging lesson in agriculture to the establishment of a transformative initiative, epitomizes the power of resilience, education, and the unwavering belief that it’s never too late to make a positive impact on our planet. Moses’s distinctive fusion of education and passion fuels the Omuti Initiative, a force poised to change lives, one tree at a time.