Zukuka's Environmental Management Approach

The environment is the totality of what we live in. Kifamba Zukuka Programme (KZP)’s main objective is to create a total community transformation and that is transformation of the environment.
Because desertification is swallowing up Rakai district and Kifamba sub county KZP’s operational area is not exceptional.

This time, KZP’s environmental management approach is giving special attention to trees as a major determinant of an area’s weather and climate in general. A tree planting programme has been laid out to cover all the bear hills especially Nabbunga and Katanjovu that standout crest from the rest, going well above 400m high.

The trees will act as wind breaks, tapping the moisture from the winds that race above Kifamba’s hilly terrain and just go to waste. This no doubt will improve the chances of rain formation for the area. There is hope that the current alarming rate of soil erosion will be checked. Other secondary benefits will be evident when the trees mature, timber, wood, charcoal etc.

We have an arrangement especially for the beneficiaries of KZP.At least 200 seedlings of selected tree species to be planted and looked after by the bearers with the support of KZP. Eucalyptus, Pines, Greveria, Podo carpus etc as major timbre producers in a short time of 20 years. This will go a long way in increasing the tree population of the area.

The fig tree (mutuba), well known for producing the backcloth, the traditional burial cloth is dying out. Its numbers are quite negligible compared to its uses. Because of its contribution to the craft industry, we cannot plant trees and leave out omutuba. It matures faster with limited attention. The more the bark is pealed off, the better it gets. African art products are the latest discoveries with lots of people benefiting lately. Kifamba residents should benefit too.

Fruits have one basic essential, Vitamin C. But people are not quite certain of how much is enough. KZP is taking up the initiative to practically empower the public about the usefulness of fruits and then distribute seedlings like Avocadoes, Pawpaw, Guavas, Oranges, jack fruit, mangoes to our beneficiaries. All is possible but limited by funds may keep us behind our work schedule for some bit of time.