Uganda’s leading environmental conservation organization, Eco Trust Uganda, has launched celebrations to mark 27 years of advancing conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable community development across the country.

The organization says its carbon financing initiatives have transformed livelihoods for thousands of rural households while promoting environmental protection and restoration.

Founded in 1999, the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda, commonly known as Eco Trust Uganda, has over the years grown into one of the country’s leading institutions in conservation finance and climate action.

Through community-centered carbon market initiatives, the organization has connected thousands of rural households to climate financing opportunities aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, conserving natural resources, and improving livelihoods.

According to Eco Trust Uganda, more than 54,000 households across the country have so far benefited from carbon credit projects that support tree planting, environmental conservation, and climate resilience programs.

Officials say the initiatives not only protect the environment but also provide communities with alternative sources of income through participation in carbon markets.

Despite the achievements registered over the years, the organization acknowledges that the carbon trading sector still faces several challenges including limited public awareness, restricted access to global carbon markets, and inadequate understanding of carbon financing mechanisms among communities.

Speaking during the launch of the anniversary celebrations, Executive Director Pauline Nantongo Kalunda emphasized that carbon markets remain an important tool in advancing Uganda’s environmental and economic goals.

She noted that conservation financing provides communities with an opportunity to earn income while contributing to the global fight against climate change.

The anniversary celebrations, expected to climax in August 2026, will highlight Eco Trust Uganda’s achievements in conservation finance, landscape restoration, and community empowerment over nearly three decades.

Eco Trust Uganda also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding climate financing opportunities, strengthening partnerships, and supporting vulnerable communities through sustainable environmental programs.

The launch further featured the unveiling of the Eco Trust Impact Report, documenting the organization’s milestones, environmental achievements, and contribution to sustainable development in Uganda.

For the past 27 years, Eco Trust Uganda has remained at the forefront of conservation-based development, with leaders expressing optimism that carbon financing will continue playing a critical role in shaping Uganda’s sustainable future.