Tree Adoption Uganda announced the fourth edition of the Run4Climate today at Oryx Petrol Station Gardens, opposite Makerere University’s western gate. The event, themed “Running for Climate Action,” is scheduled for June 16, 2024, at the Lugogo Hockey Pitch.
The Run4Climate, following the success of its previous editions in 2020, 2022, and 2023, aims to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and encourage multi-sectoral participation in climate action. Dr. Charles Batte, the Executive Director of Tree Adoption Uganda, officially announced the run and encouraged Ugandans to participate. “This event is not just about running; it’s about making a tangible impact on our environment,” Dr. Batte stated.
Dr. Batte detailed the race’s route and highlighted the rewards for winners. Diana Ondoga, Manager of Corporate Social Investment at Stanbic Bank, Jacqueline Kalembe, Assistant Brand Manager at Roofings, and Isaac Ssebadduka, Marketing Manager at SPOUTS OF WATER UGANDA (Purifaaya), also shared their reasons for supporting the run. “Supporting Run4Climate aligns with our corporate social responsibility goals and our commitment to environmental sustainability,” noted Ondoga.
The #Run4Climate is a flagship event for the Running Out of Trees (ROOTS) campaign, which aims to restore Uganda’s degraded landscapes through reforestation efforts. In 2022, approximately 1,000 participants joined the run, with proceeds used to plant 60,000 trees in districts such as Luweero, Kumi, and Nakaseke. The 2023 edition saw over 1,200 participants, resulting in the restoration of over 200 acres of degraded land through the planting of 100,000 trees across various locations in Uganda.
Tickets for the run are priced at 25,000 Ugandan shillings and can be purchased on the Tree Adoption Uganda website. Funds raised will support both the run and other activities, such as environmental education in schools.
The fourth edition of Run4Climate promises to build on the achievements of past events, fostering a greater commitment to climate action among Ugandans and supporting the ongoing efforts to combat environmental degradation.