AFRIYEA Golf Academy leads the charge for a greener planet | Earth Day 2025

In Fort Portal city, Uganda, where emerald hills embrace the life-sustaining waters of River Mpanga, Afriyea Golf Academy is transforming the essence of sports.

On 22 April 2025, as Earth Day united the globe under the theme “Planet vs. Plastics,” the academy brought together students, residents, and local leaders to clear plastic waste, plant trees, and ignite a shared commitment to change.

Their efforts reveal how sports can rally communities to combat climate change and nurture a healthier planet.

Clearing plastics, saving rivers:

The day began with purpose in Fort Portal’s bustling streets and along River Mpanga’s banks, where over 120 participants confronted plastic pollution.

Students from Afriyea Golf Academy, joined by volunteers and city officials, gathered single-use plastics and debris from markets, roads, and the river’s edge.

Using biodegradable bags, they sorted waste for recycling, with some plastics creatively repurposed into planters for the academy’s urban gardens a vivid example of reimagining waste.

Plastic pollution, which the United Nations Environment Programme reports constitutes 85% of marine litter, endangers ecosystems worldwide.

Afriyea Golf Academy’s clean-up was a direct challenge to this crisis, proving that collective action can yield tangible results.

By focusing on River Mpanga, a cornerstone of the region’s ecology and economy, the campaign underscored the urgent need to protect vital waterways.

“This river is our lifeline,” said a local volunteer. “Keeping it clean is our responsibility to the land and future generations.”

The Plastic crisis in focus:

The scale of the plastic problem is staggering.

 According to the World Economic Forum, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, with less than 10% recycled globally.

Single-use plastics, from bottles to bags, often end up in rivers and oceans, breaking down into microplastics that harm wildlife and infiltrate food chains.

In Uganda, where waste management systems are often strained, plastics clog waterways like Mpanga, exacerbating flooding and threatening biodiversity.

Afriyea Golf Academy’s Earth Day initiative tackled this head-on, not only removing waste but also raising awareness about reducing plastic use.

By turning some collected plastics into functional items, the academy highlighted practical solutions to a global challenge, inspiring participants to rethink their daily habits.

Planting trees, building resilience:

Beyond the clean-up, Afriyea Golf Academy led a tree-planting drive, adding 150 indigenous trees, such as mahogany and grevillea, to degraded areas and River Mpanga’s watershed.

Guided by tree planting experts, the initiative aimed to restore ecosystems and sequester carbon. The Food and Agriculture Organization notes that reforestation can capture up to 15 tonnes of CO2 per hectare annually, making it a powerful tool against climate change.

“Deforestation has left our land vulnerable floods sweep away homes and bridges,” said Isaiah Mwesige, the academy’s CEO. “Planting trees today ensures our communities stand strong tomorrow.”

The effort addressed local challenges like soil erosion and flooding while contributing to global climate goals.

Each tree planted was a pledge to a more resilient future for Fort Portal.

Sports as a catalyst for change:

Afriyea Golf Academy demonstrates that sports can be a force for transformation.

By weaving sustainability into its mission, the academy aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those targeting climate action and ecosystem protection.

The academy’s Monthly clean-ups in Fort Portal and along River Mpanga have become a cherished tradition, fostering community pride.

On the golf course, the academy employs drought-resistant grasses and water-conservation techniques, reducing the sport’s environmental footprint.

These practices reflect the Sports for Climate Action Framework, which urges sports organizations to cut emissions and champion sustainability.

Afriyea Golf Academy reimagines golf courses as havens for conservation and unity. “Sports can awaken a passion for the planet,” Mwesige said.

 “Every game we play is a chance to build a better world.”

Nurturing young stewards through the Junior Greenkeeping program:

At the heart of Afriyea Golf Academy’s mission is its Junior Green keeping Program, a visionary effort to teach young people about sustainable turf maintenance both on and off the golf course.

Through hands-on training, students learn to care for the academy’s grounds using eco-friendly practices, such as composting, water-efficient irrigation, and planting native grasses that thrive in Uganda’s climate.

Off the course, the program extends to community projects, like maintaining urban gardens and restoring degraded lands.

“We’re raising a generation that understands the land,” said Sam Kahuma.

 “These kids are learning to protect the environment while gaining skills for life.”

By empowering youth to take ownership of their surroundings, Afriyea Golf Academy is sowing seeds for long-term environmental stewardship.

Educating for a sustainable future:

Earth Day 2025 was also a platform for education at Afriyea Golf Academy.

Workshops held on the academy’s grounds explored the dangers of single-use plastics and practical ways to reduce waste

 Local environmentalists shared strategies, from using reusable bags to supporting recycling initiatives.

Students, meanwhile, crafted art from recycled materials, expressing their dreams for a cleaner planet.

“Watching these children embrace environmental care is uplifting,” said a Fort Portal teacher. “Afriyea is shaping not just the land, but the minds of our youth.”

A call to act with urgency:

The events in Fort Portal on Earth Day 2025 were more than a single day’s work they were a powerful call to rethink our relationship with the planet.

Afriyea Golf Academy proves that small actions, like clearing a piece of plastic or planting a tree, can ripple outward to create lasting change.

By uniting athletes, families, and leaders, the academy is forging a movement rooted in hope and responsibility.

“We’ve scarred the earth with plastics and neglect,” Mwesige said. “The time to heal it was yesterday, but we must act now with purpose.”

Afriyea Golf Academy’s vision is bold: a world where sports not only shape champions but also cultivate a thriving planet for all.

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