Growing Tomorrow: How Okere City's Carbon Credit Project is Transforming Lives and Landscapes

Lillian Awor, a member of the Okere City Shea Carbon Credit program creates a trench for manure application. Photo by Barbara Akite, Okere City

In the heart of Okere, Adwari Sub County in Otuke District, a quiet revolution is taking root - one tree seedling at a time. What began as a simple initiative to distribute free seedlings has evolved into a powerful movement that is transforming livelihoods, restoring degraded land and reconnecting the community to a future they once only imagined. Here, ordinary farmers are becoming custodians of the environment, gaining new skills and discovering that the trees they nurture today can secure their families’ tomorrow. This is more than a tree-planting initiative; it is a story of hope, resilience and the power of community to grow change from the ground up while contributing to a global effort to fight climate change.

For farmers like Lillian Arao, life has always revolved around her home and garden. At 42 years old, married with eight children, she has spent twenty-eight years farming; beginning her days at sunrise in the garden before attending to household responsibilities. Farming has never been just a livelihood for Lillian; it is her identity.

In February 2025, something shifted. She learned about the Okere City Shea Carbon Credit Program, a community-driven initiative that blends climate action with improved farmer livelihoods. Her curiosity quickly turned into excitement. When she received her first batch of fruit tree seedlings in July 2025, she was overjoyed. “I planted it near my home for easy management and so we can enjoy the fruits when the time comes,” she laughs.

Caring for the young trees soon became part of her daily routine. She weeds, waters and monitors them closely, determined to see them thrive. Pests occasionally attack the seedlings, but Lillian responds quickly, spraying and protecting them with the confidence of someone who knows what she is doing. Thanks to the training she received before the distribution and the ongoing follow-ups by Okere City’s Agricultural Extension Officer. She has learned pruning and other techniques she now practices with ease.

The trees have not yet begun to bear fruit, but Lillian is patient. She knows that their value grows with time. When they mature, they will give her family nourishment and possibly income. Her husband and children are equally invested in their success, turning tree care into a shared household effort that has strengthened their bond.

Beyond her home, Lillian has seen her community transformed. People who once viewed tree planting as a distant or costly idea are now embracing it with enthusiasm. Neighbors regularly share their progress, challenges and hopes. “I didn’t know at first that planting trees helps remove carbon from the air,” she admitted. “But now I do, thanks to the training. It makes me proud to be part of something that helps not just me, but the whole community.”

Her story mirrors the broader mission of the Okere City/Forested Uganda Shea Carbon Project. As part of its commitment to climate-smart agriculture, carbon sequestration and improved farmer livelihoods, the project raises tree seedlings in its nursery and distributes them freely to farmers. In July 2025, over 500 fruit tree seedlings were given to 76 farmers; marking a significant step in building a resilient, tree-rich landscape in Okere.

Ambrose Opii, Agricultural Extension Officer, Okere City guides Lillian Awor on proper mulching techniques during a field supervision visit. Photo by Barbara Akite, Okere City

To ensure proper growth and high survival rates, monitoring is continuous. “We created farmer lists and contacts for each village, and we’ve been visiting farmers to check survival rates, offer advice and support watering and protection,” explained Ambrose Opii, Agricultural Extension Officer at Okere City. “We also use farmers’ meetings to review progress and share experiences.”

Challenges exist. Pests such as leaf miners and orange dogs threaten the seedlings. But the support system is strong. “We’re working together with farmers and advising them on integrated pest management and manure application for better outcomes,” Opii added.

Looking to the future, Ojok Okello, Chief Executive Director of Okere City, envisions something much bigger than today’s seedlings. “I hope Okere becomes the leading model of community-led carbon farming in Uganda; where every household owns trees that feed them, shade them, restore their land and generate income. I want carbon revenue to support education, health, clean water and women’s livelihoods. And I dream of the day when planting trees is not a project, but a culture - something our children grow up knowing as part of who we are.”

As the seedlings grow, so does the hope of a greener, more resilient and more prosperous Okere. And with every leaf that unfurls, the community steps closer to a future where the land thrives and so do the people.