By Rtn. Hannington Sebuliba
Miles South East of Kampala, is a lonely place called Lubowa where St. John’s Anglican Church of Uganda is located. From a distance, you see a handful buildings and a perimeter wall fence with thickets around. You can hardly see a tree in the vicinity. Most of the trees on this Lubowa hill have either been cut for charcoal, timber or cleared for construction of new houses.
The Rotary Club of Kajjansi has embarked on campaign to turn the area into a gree belt once again. In October Last year, they planted a number of trees in the area together with Christians of that church. Assistant Governor Ann Munywevu who was the chief guest participated fully in this exercise and went on to request her club (the Rotary Club of Kampala Central to donate more trees). In December, she delivered the 100 tree seedlings to the Rotary Club of Kajjansi.
On Saturday January 5, 2013, the club decided to plant the 100 tree seedlings again at this Lubowa Church. The event coincided with the Rotary Friendship Exchange visit of Past President Julie Keitel of the Rotary Club of La Crosse- Valley View .
In a cassava and potato field
PP Julie fully participated in the tree planting under the scorching sun. She was excited for the first time in life to see a potato and cassava gardens. When asked whether she knew what the vegetation she was walking on she said “No I thought these are humps” she said after stepping on potato mounds a.k.a. ebikata in the local dialect. She said that she was happy for having been able to see those food crops for the first time in Africa.
The planting was attended by the host President Enid Asingwire, IPP Peace Taremwa, Rtn. Adrine, Rtn. Hannington and parishioners of this church. The Head of laity Mr. Kiggwe was all praises to the Rotary Club of Kajjansi for caring after the environment. “We are pleased for this gesture of giving us trees to plant on this hill” he said.
After planting the 100 tree seedlings of Casuarina equisetifolia PP Julie was happy to see Lake Victoria, the biggest fresh water lake in Africa. We had to take her to Kigo to have a look at the lake and actually touch the waters of this water body.
PP Julie feeling the waters of Lake Victoria
The journey to the rough murram road to Kigo was another experience to her. She wondered how Ugandans survive on such bad roads with potholes as big as ponds. On the way to the lake shores, she managed to see different fruit trees including jackfruit, pawpaws, mangoes, oranges to mention but a few.
At the lake shore about 200 metres from Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, she had to step in the waters feeling the cool breeze.
Rtn. Julie shows Rotarians and guests where her Rotary Club of of La Crosse Valley View is situated
After the visit to the lake, President Enid together with Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Kajjansi and members of St. John’s Church Lubowa, had dinner at the President’s Lweza Bright nursery School till late in the night. The evening was worth well spent.
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