Rubanda District Woman MP Contestant Kikafunda Aims at Planting One Billion Trees. -

The Rubanda District Woman MP Candidate, Ninsiima Evelyn Kikafunda, has revealed her plan to plant a minimum of one billion trees in pursuit of sustainable development through green environment promotion, protection and conservation.

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While addressing students of Uganda Christian University, Bishop Barham University College (BBUC) in Kabale District yesterday, Ms. Kikafunda explained that tree planting was central to her rising popularity in the environmental protection and conservation area.

Her speech also provided a comprehensive insight into her life and work, revealing her family background, education career, aspirations, achievements, and awards she has won along the way.

Ms. Kikafunda is the President and Founder of Green Environment Promotion, an organization she established after her first undergraduate degree to champion development in Southwestern Uganda. Notably, she is the first female President of Makerere University Environmental Management Association (MUEMA).

She holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Development from the University of Leeds and she is a three-time award winner as Uganda’s best tree grower. She has also been honored as an unsung heroine in environmental promotion, a recipient of the International Rural Women Award for championing community initiatives, and recognized as an outstanding female leader in climate change.

To date, she has planted millions of trees across more than 700 hectares, with her ultimate goal being to plant over one billion trees. In Rubanda District alone, she has donated over 10,000 tree seedlings to faith-based organizations.

Her dedication to environmental conservation recently earned her recognition from Cambridge University, where she featured in their press releases for her efforts in championing climate change in Africa. Her interview about tree planting is included in the book “Crisis to Action” by Cambridge University.

Yesterday, after she planted fruit trees at Bishop Barham University College at the request of students during their quarterly meeting, Mr. Amon Mukamasiimwe, a lecturer and head of the Mass Communication Department, commended her environmental conservation efforts.

“I have heard about your passion for planting trees and your contributions to the agriculture and poverty alleviation programs in Rubanda District. We appreciate your visit and courtesy in extending your tree planting program to BBUC,” said Mukamasiimwe.

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Mr. Lawrence Akampurira, President of the Rubanda District Students Association, highlighted ongoing initiatives by the association, including their venture into liquid soap production, which earns them at least Shs. 300,000 in monthly profits. He revealed the association’s plan to establish a station at BBUC with a startup budget of Shs. 20 million.

More About Kikafunda

Ms. Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda’s leadership extends beyond environmental advocacy. She is the CEO and founder of Live to Inspire Uganda Chapter, a program that visits various educational institutions to emphasize the importance of education. She has lobbied for 100 computers for St. Agatha Girls Secondary School Kakore from the International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB).

She also founded St. Elizabeth Nursery and Primary School in her village immediately after her first degree, aiming to curb teenage pregnancies, as girls were getting married at ages as young as 12 and 13.

In the spirit of community support and economic development, she has distributed a total of 450 wheelchairs to persons living with disabilities, organized medical camps that have provided over 7,000 people with specialized diagnosis and treatment, and supplied more than 2,000 goats to women’s development groups.

During her address, she revealed that her late father, John William Kikafunda, was a farmer involved in crop cultivation, poultry, and lumbering. He financed her education up to university, but she paid her own tuition at the University of Leeds when she enrolled for her Master’s in Sustainable Development.

“My late dad, who is my role model, was not educated. But he reared chickens, did a lot of digging, and lumbering to send me to school, one of the greatest gifts he gave his daughter. Later, I wanted to pursue a Master’s degree, but there was no money. The lioness in me couldn’t sit back, so I paid my own tuition at the University of Leeds,” she said.

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Ms. Kikafunda, an who is an old student of Bishop Kivengyere Girls School, Muyebe, encouraged students to pursue their dreams with passion and determination, regardless of their circumstances.

As the General Secretary of the Southwestern Regional Development Forum, she helped develop the strategic and development plans for Southwestern Uganda, including Kigezi and Ankole, covering 19 districts and one city.

Kikafunda, who has been nominated to contest as Rubanda Woman MP for 2026-2031 on an independent ticket, explained that her drive to attain a high-profile leadership position stems from her desire to have a broader platform to champion sustainable development, especially in her home district, Rubanda.

This ambition aligns with her campaign slogan, “Entunguka etaremura,” translated as “Sustainable Development.”