New Uganda Board Appointments Cement GRO's Mission to Plant 1 Billion Trees and Uplift 50 Million Lives Across Africa
KAMPALA, UGANDA / ACCESS Newswire / April 21, 2025 / GRO Foundation, a global non-profit dedicated to sustainable reforestation and climate-driven development, today announced the appointment of key national leaders to its board in Uganda. The appointments come as the Foundation scales up its landmark initiative to plant 1 billion trees, directly improve the lives of 1 million people across Sub-Saharan Africa, and positively impact more than 50 million people indirectly across Africa.
The new board members represent a cross-section of Uganda's most trusted leadership across government, cultural, and faith-based institutions. These leaders bring grassroots access, legal stewardship, and community protection to GRO's regenerative forestry program, which is now planting 250 million indigenous trees in Uganda alone.
Newly Appointed Board Members (as of January 1, 2025):
Prof. Albert Byamugisha - Chief of Staff, Office of the Prime Minister (Executive Chairman, GRO Uganda)
Dr. Callist Tindimugaya - Commissioner, Ministry of Water and the Environment
Mrs. Sarah Walusimbi - Former State Attorney, Government of Uganda
Wadada Davidson - Chief Emissary, Council of Kings
Joshua Kitakule - Secretary General, Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and Vice Chair for Africa
Mrs. Heba Zahid-Shubbar - Secretary General, GRO Foundation (Board Trustee, GRO Uganda)
Musinguzi Laban Joshua - Country Director, GRO Uganda (Executive Director and Secretary, GRO Uganda)
"Our work in Uganda is more than a reforestation campaign. It is a grassroots economic movement led by the people, for the people," said Paul Flynn Mukalazi, Board Chairman of the GRO Foundation. "We are guided by the words of the late Pope Francis: ‘As stewards of God's creation, we are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling.'"
GRO Foundation's reforestation model is rooted in local leadership and structured partnerships with ministries, traditional kingdoms, and interfaith networks. Forests are planted on protected kingdom lands, with direct benefit-sharing agreements in place to ensure long-term support for rural communities.
GRO Foundation's approach has already drawn the attention of international climate funds and multilateral development groups due to its transparent governance, culturally respectful strategy, and capacity to scale.
The initiative, certified under the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism and Article 6 ready for international carbon trading, positions Uganda to become a pioneer in leveraging climate finance to eliminate poverty.
Highlights of the Uganda Program:
250 million indigenous trees to be planted across reserves and protected zones
Partnership with Uganda's Ministry of Water and the Environment for land access and policy support
Faith-based outreach through the Inter-Religious Council to engage communities at the village level
Direct benefit to communities through job creation, biodiversity protection, and water security
98% of operational profits reinvested in clean water systems, education, skill-building, and zero-interest microfinance
"Our vision is long-term and deeply human," said Mukalazi. "We don't just teach people how to fish. We provide the net, the boat, the restaurant, and a future that welcomes prosperity. Uganda is our proof of concept, and we will bring this model across Sub-Saharan Africa."
GRO has active projects in Uganda and Kenya and is expanding across East Africa, with development initiatives also underway in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Carbon Registry for Uganda and Kenya can be found at:
https://www.carbonregistry.com/projects/bright-future-africa-93
About GRO Foundation:
Founded with a mission to plant one billion trees and transform one million lives across Sub-Saharan Africa, GRO Foundation is a global nonprofit delivering community-first reforestation and development programs. Through trusted partnerships with governments, faith institutions, and traditional kingdoms, GRO's model is designed to scale, bringing long-term environmental and economic solutions to regions most affected by climate change.
With active projects in Uganda, Kenya, and developing initiatives across East Africa, Indonesia, and Malaysia, GRO Foundation not only directly improves the lives of 1 million people-it is structured to positively impact more than 50 million people indirectly across Africa through clean air, water access, job creation, biodiversity restoration, and climate resilience.
GRO's approach demonstrates that poverty can be ended with sustainable climate finance rooted in trust, equity, and environmental justice.
Media Contact:
GRO Foundation Communications
dustin@blockbuzz.io
SOURCE: GRO Foundation
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