MP Hopeful Daniel Mulalu Donates 5,000 Tree Seedlings in Ngariam County

Daniel Mulalu, the Member of Parliament hopeful for Ngariam County, has donated 5,000 tree seedlings to residents of Olilim Town Council and Aterai Parish in Akoboi Sub County, Katakwi District.

The donation is part of his ongoing efforts to support environmental conservation and improve the livelihoods of people in the community.

The seedlings were officially handed over during a community gathering on Friday, which was attended by local leaders, farmers, youth, and other residents.

The event was held at Olilim Town Council grounds, where hundreds turned up to receive and plant the trees.

While addressing the community, Mr. Mulalu said the tree donation is aimed at helping people fight the effects of climate change, restore green cover, and improve the soil and weather conditions in the area.

“We have seen long dry spells, poor harvests, and soil erosion affecting our communities. Planting trees is one way we can solve these problems. Trees bring rain, improve air, and give us fruits, firewood, and timber,” Mulalu said.

He added that planting trees also helps to beautify homesteads and provides shade for both people and animals.

The seedlings donated by Mr. Mulalu include both fruit trees and indigenous species. Some of the varieties distributed were mangoes, oranges, guavas, eucalyptus, grevillea, and neem trees.

These were selected to provide different benefits such as food, income, firewood, timber, and environmental protection.

Mulalu urged residents to take good care of the seedlings and ensure they grow well.

“Each of these trees can change a life. Let’s plant them with care and protect them from animals and bush fires. We want Olilim and Aterai to become model green communities in Ngariam County,” he said.

Mulalu, who has been moving across Ngariam County engaging communities on various development issues, said the tree donation is just the beginning of a bigger campaign.

He revealed plans to extend similar donations to other parts of the county and to train communities on how to grow and care for trees.

“We are working with environmental experts and local leaders to make sure the trees survive. We want to provide more seedlings in the coming rainy seasons,” he said.

He also encouraged schools, churches, and other institutions to join the greening campaign and become role models in environmental conservation.

“If every school plants 100 trees, and every home plants at least 10, we can change the face of Ngariam. Together, we can build a greener, better future,” he added.

Locals appreciated Mulalu’s support and said the tree seedlings would go a long way in restoring the environment and improving household incomes in the future.

Mr. Paul Okello, a resident of Akoboi Sub County, welcomed the initiative and encouraged residents to take it seriously.

“These trees are a great gift to our people. I thank Mr. Mulalu for his vision and love for the environment. Let us all plant the seedlings and look after them well,” he said.

The tree donation especially excited youth groups and farmers who had been struggling with climate-related challenges.

Sarah Alupo, from Aterai Parish, said the tree seedlings will help young people start small income-generating projects.

“We are happy to receive mango and orange seedlings. In a few years, we can start selling fruits and improve our lives,” she said.

Farmers also welcomed the eucalyptus and grevillea trees, saying they would use them for future construction, fencing, and firewood.

“We thank Mr. Mulalu for thinking about our needs. With these trees, we can plan for the future,” said John Okiror, a farmer from Olilim.

Many residents took seedlings home after the event and promised to plant them around their homes, gardens, schools, and community centers.

Environmental degradation has been a major concern in Katakwi District and the wider Teso sub-region due to deforestation, bush burning, and population pressure on land.

As a result, many areas have experienced long dry seasons, poor crop yields, and increased poverty.

Mulalu’s tree planting initiative comes at a time when the government and development partners are encouraging climate-smart agriculture and conservation practices to improve resilience in rural communities.

Mulalu is set to face off with state Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang. Both are renowned NRM Mobilizers.