NUP Adopts Tree Planting for Solidarity Day Amid Charcoal Ban Criticism

The National Unity Platform (NUP) has announced a significant shift in its monthly community engagement initiative, rebranding “Bobi Wine’s Day” to “Bobi Wine’s Solidarity Day.” This rebranded event, set to commence on November 1, 2026, will prominently feature tree planting as a core activity aimed at environmental conservation.

Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, revealed the party’s intention to leverage these monthly gatherings to promote ecological awareness and support vulnerable communities. “We are all for conserving the environment, and that’s why we are saying, for the Bobi Wine’s Solidarity Day, let’s plant trees, because it’s important that we conserve our environment,” Ssenyonyi stated during a press conference at the NUP headquarters in Kampala.

The initiative comes as a direct response to the government’s recent restrictions on charcoal use. Ssenyonyi criticized the administration for implementing such measures without providing affordable cooking fuel alternatives for households that rely heavily on charcoal. He argued that environmental protection policies must be accompanied by thorough planning and accessible substitutes.

“But if you don’t plan for alternative sources of energy, and then you say we are banning charcoal, you’re not planning at all,” Ssenyonyi remarked, urging the government to actively involve citizens in conservation efforts. He called upon the National Forestry Authority and related agencies to facilitate the distribution of tree seedlings to the public for widespread planting.

Beyond environmental advocacy, the “Solidarity Day” will also focus on providing support to families of detained NUP supporters and those affected by violence during political campaigns. The party aims to address community issues through practical actions and to offer solidarity to individuals facing hardship, including concerns raised about the health of prominent opposition figures Dr. Kizza Besigye and Erias Lukwago.

Ssenyonyi expressed hope that security forces would permit these peaceful community-building activities, including tree planting, without interference, emphasizing that constructive community work should be encouraged regardless of political affiliation. The NUP hopes this initiative will empower citizens to contribute directly to environmental preservation and community welfare.

Read more at: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/380374/nup-proposes-tree-planting-as-alternative-to-charcoal-ban