Ugandan Youth Power Tree Planting with Tech

A New Approach to Reforestation in Uganda

When Yudaya Nabaka plants a seedling, she does not just cover it with soil; she enlists the help of a friend with a phone to take a few photos. These images are uploaded to an app used by Rotaractors and university students across Uganda, tracking the tree’s location and growth details. For Nabaka, this process is more than just planting trees—it's about ensuring they live long enough to provide shade and coolness to the villages she grew up in.

“I used to see people plant trees during community drives, but after a few months, most would wither because no one followed up,” Nabaka says, scrolling through photos of young seedlings her group monitors. “Now we can check which trees survive and which ones need extra care.”

Nabaka, a second-year literature student at Makerere University, is visually impaired but can still perceive some visual cues. She relies on her friend for assistance, especially when taking photos of the seedlings they plant. Her compassion for tree planting, particularly fruit trees, has driven her to be part of a growing movement of young people leading a digital revolution in environmental conservation.

Instead of planting and walking away, these youths are using smartphones and GPS mapping to track the survival of newly planted trees, ensuring that well-intentioned campaigns do not fade away.

The Role of Technology in Conservation

Uganda loses an estimated 200,000 hectares of forest cover every year, according to the National Forestry Authority. While campaigns to restore the country’s green cover are common, many efforts stop at photo opportunities. Trees are planted without follow-up, and within months, they dry up or are cut down.

To address this issue, Rotaractors—youth members of Rotary International—and university students are using an app called the Forest app, developed by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation. They geo-tag every tree planted, photograph its condition, and upload data into a shared platform. This information is then analyzed to determine how many trees survive, what areas need replanting, and which species thrive in certain soils.

“We call it moving from tree planting to tree tracking,” says Jeremiah Kwesiga, a Rotary member of Kampala Central. “Technology gives us evidence. It helps us tell whether our effort is just a ceremony or a real impact.”

Learning Through Action

For many students, the project is more than volunteering; it doubles as a practical lesson. Agriculture and environmental science students use the collected data for research on soil quality, rainfall patterns, and biodiversity. IT students develop software to make data collection easier, while communication students handle awareness campaigns on social media.

Kwesiga believes it is like having a classroom in the field where students learn not just how to plant but how to protect a tree through its life cycle.

Community Involvement

The initiative is also changing how local communities view tree planting. In Mpigi district, where youth groups have planted over 15,000 seedlings, farmers now receive SMS alerts reminding them to water or weed around their trees. Some are even given small solar-powered sensors that notify them when soil moisture is too low.

“We feel proud that the youth are involving us in the monitoring,” says 56-year-old farmer John Kato. “Before, people just came, planted trees, and disappeared. Now they call us to ask, ‘How is your tree doing?’ It makes us feel part of the project.”

Challenges and Resilience

Despite the progress, the work is not without hurdles. Poor internet connectivity in rural areas often means data is uploaded late. Smartphones and drones are costly, and students sometimes rely on borrowed gadgets. There is also the challenge of convincing local communities to protect trees instead of cutting them for firewood.

Yet, the youth say these setbacks only strengthen their resolve. “We may not save every tree, but every tree we save is a step closer to a greener Uganda,” Nabaka says.

Planting Seeds of the Future

Environmentalists believe the combination of youth energy and technology could transform Uganda’s reforestation efforts. Unlike large campaigns that fade after a few days, digital tracking creates accountability and ensures continuity.

“Tree survival is what matters, not just the numbers planted,” says Lillian Nambalirwa, a Rotaractor and a botanist. “If young people can lead with technology, then Uganda has hope for long-term forest restoration.”

Nabaka understands that the mango tree she has planted will still stand tall in two years, its leaves deep green. “It’s not just about this one tree,” she says. “It’s about showing that with care and technology, our small actions can outlive us.”

For these youth, every planted seedling is more than just a statistic; it is a promise to the future. And with a phone in hand, they are determined to keep that promise alive.

The Legacy of Old Trees

Makerere University has one of the oldest trees, planted years ago. One of the mango trees opposite Nkrumah Hall stands strong with a huge trunk. It is still bearing fruit and providing shade to students who sometimes need fresh air after classes.

Kwesiga says that the big old tree could not have been planted alone; many could have withered and died, but this one still stands strong. He believes that with technology, the majority of the trees planted will survive the wrath of nature.

Miracle Nassazi, a climate change activist and a student of quantitative economics in her third year, says social responsibility will keep these young trees alive for years and years. She believes that the planted trees are fruit trees, which will provide fruits, helping students balance their diet, but also help combat climate change.

Nassazi challenges the Government to support groups that are interested in nature, conservation, and champion condemning people who encroach on forests.