By Agatha N Biira
Charles Lwanga Mitti, a second-year student of Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance at Uganda Christian University (UCU), has championed a climate change campaign.
The initiative, which he has named The Climate Awareness Network (CLAN), is aimed at not only creating awareness about issues regarding climate change but the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in general, such as zero hunger, clean water and sanitation, and affordable and clean energy.
Mitti talking about why he chose to start the CLAN
He began farming as a source of income after graduating with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Makerere University in 2015. Along the way, he felt the need to go back to school and, this time round, pursue a course that would help him better manage his farm. With the experience he had got from farming, Mitti’s goal in life became clearer because he wanted to create change in the university and the communities around him.
“Farming teaches you several things, especially patience and kindness. So, now that I cannot plant, I want to share the knowledge I have with other people, “he said. “I want to teach them how to be patient and kind not only to themselves but also to their surroundings.”
On his birthday, August 20, Mitti dedicated the day to creating awareness about climate change in a walk titled “The Climate Walk” from Kampala to Jinja. This walk was documented across his social media pages and got the attention of organizations and companies, some of which offered to support the initiative.
“I was called upon by companies, but because I was doing it alone and had nothing in place yet, I could not get their support. So, that too inspired me to start this initiative, “Mitti said.
Now an ambassador of Save Soil, a global movement aimed at addressing the soil crisis by bringing people across the world to stand up for soil health, Mitti has embarked on the journey of environmental conservation.
And although the initiative still awaits approval from the university, Mitti says he already has some students on board, including guild officials. “We plan on having various activities such as tree planting, community clean-ups, weekly aerobics, and certificate awarding for all those that will participate,” he said.
When approved as a club, Mitti hopes to integrate different faculties of the university into the campaign so as to work towards achieving sustainable solutions such as sustainable agriculture and sustainable energy.
When approved as a club, Mitti hopes to integrate different faculties of the university into the campaign so as to work towards achieving sustainable solutions such as sustainable agriculture and sustainable energy.
