FINANCE MINISTER KASAIJA PLANTS TREES ON BOMBO ROAD DURING TREE PLANTING ACTIVITY OF NATIONAL BUDGET MONTH
The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Partnership with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (SCBAG) planted trees on Bombo road as part of the activities to mark the national budget month for FY 2019/20.
The Finance Minister Matia Kasaija who presided over the tree planting activity urged Ugandans to desist from destroying the environment because the adverse effects of climate change also hurts the economy.
“The choice of this activity, is because Uganda’s economy is majorly dependent on climate-sensitive sectors e.g. agriculture and tourism. We therefore need to pay more attention to environmental issues if economic growth is to be sustainable. Climate change poses serious risk to our economic growth,” Kasaija said.
The Minister said prolonged drought in 2016/17 affected agricultural output, incomes of farmers and consequently led to the slowdown in economic growth.
He said Government has set a target to reverse the trend in environmental degradation and increase the percentage of land covered by vital ecosystems from the current 19.9% to 24% by the year 2022.
“The aim of this tree planting exercise is to highlight the importance of environmental conservation and to contribute towards and promote efforts of the greening campaign by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA),”said the Minister.
The Minister also called upon the public to get interested in knowing the budget because it is for all Ugandans.
He also asked all Government Ministries and Agencies to make adequate preparations to show to the public how their taxes are spent during the national budget month exhibitions at Kololo ceremonial grounds from 4th to 6th June 2019.
The Acting Permanent Secretary and Secretary to Treasury, Patrick Ocailap said the tree planting was one of the activities lined up to increase publicity and awareness towards the National Budget.
ENDS
