One thousand children planted 5,000 trees at PEAS Forest High School in Kassanda District as part of a regional initiative promoting environmental conservation, peace and prosperity through child-led climate action.
The activity, held on October 17, 2026, was organised by the Rotary Club of Environment and Climate Action (RC ECA) as a flagship climate action project of the first East African Children's Summit (EACCS).
Held under the theme “Children Leading East African Integration: Climate, Peace, Prosperity” and the slogan “Children and Youth at the Centre of Climate Action,” the Green Legacy Project sought to encourage young people to take an active role in protecting the environment.
Each child planted and adopted five trees, pledging to nurture them as part of a long-term commitment to environmental protection. The participants also received climate education and were commissioned as Green Ambassadors to promote conservation in their schools and communities.
The event was attended by the Secretary General of the East African Community, Ambassador Stephen P. Mbundi, alongside officials from the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, the Ministry of Water and Environment, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the National Forestry Authority (NFA), Kassanda District Local Government and PEAS Forest High School.
Organisers said the initiative was designed to go beyond tree planting by encouraging children to take responsibility for environmental protection while connecting climate action to regional integration, peace and sustainable prosperity.
The Green Legacy Project brought together government institutions, schools, civil society organisations and other partners working to advance environmental awareness and youth participation in climate action.
Implementation partners included Touch the Heart Uganda, the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, NEMA, the Ministry of Water and Environment, NFA, PEAS, Uganda Little Hands Go Green, UNICEF, SEPOVIP, MEACA, Voices of Peace and other EACCS partners.
The project reflects a growing emphasis on involving children and young people in environmental initiatives, particularly through practical activities that combine climate education with community participation.
For the Rotary Club of Environment and Climate Action, the planting exercise was also an investment in future environmental leadership, with the children expected to nurture their trees and encourage others to adopt sustainable practices.
The club expressed appreciation to the East African Community Secretariat, partner organisations, teachers and the participating children for their contribution to the initiative.
With 5,000 trees planted and 1,000 children commissioned as Green Ambassadors, the project placed young people at the centre of efforts to promote environmental stewardship in Kassanda and beyond.