Buyende: The Kyabazinga of Busoga Kingdom, His Royal Highness William Wilberforce Gabula Nadiope IV, during his 10th coronation celebration held in Bukungu Town Council, Buyende District, urged the people of Busoga to conserve the environment by planting trees.
In response, the management and playing staff of Budiope FC have heeded this call and begun planting trees every time they play a match in the ongoing 7th edition of the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup – a tournament organized by Obwakyabazinga bwa Busoga.
The first such activity took place during their match against Busiki County at Irundu Township Primary School in Irundu Town Council, Buyende District. Budiope FC was joined by some members of Busiki to symbolically plant several trees in the school compound before the match kicked off.
“The theme for the tenth coronation of our Kyabazinga was about conserving the environment. There is no better way to push this message further than using football, which is a unifying sport,” stated Fred Mbazira, a Budiope FC patron and former chairperson.
“We will continue planting these trees not only when we have matches but also through community engagements. Budiope FC is acting as an example, and I hope people replicate what we are doing and take the initiative to plant more trees, especially in their homes and gardens,” he added.
Budiope FC’s Chief Executive Officer, Julius Mirimu, told Busoga Today on Thursday, “This is a productive idea that was fully welcomed and embraced by the players and coaching staff. This is one way they can leave a mark on the Irundu community,” he said, adding that they also intend to do community outreach programs.
Andrew Kitimbo, the Budiope FC publicist, highlighted the influence of sports on the community. He explained that using Budiope FC to create awareness about environmental challenges and the available solutions was timely.
“The people of Budiope have loved the work the team is doing on the field of play; they have supported the team and players on and off the field. It is therefore important that we use this close connection to touch the lives of our people through tree planting.
This is what Baba Kyabazinga wants us to do. We are grateful that our brothers from Busiki were willing to be part of this activity. We believe that if all eleven teams in the tournament plant trees before, after, or during match engagements, we will have a better environment,” Kitimbo explained.
In their latest game, Budiope FC defeated Busiki 1-0, moving to the top of the Nendha Group with 10 points from five games. Bugweri, which thrashed Bulamogi 6-0, are second with 9 points, while Busiki is third with 7 points from the same number of games.
Bulamogi, with 3 points, sit at the bottom of the table and have no chance of advancing to the quarterfinals.
On Sunday, October 6, 2024, Bugweri will travel to Irundu to take on a confident Budiope, while Bulamogi will head to Namutumba to face Busiki.
