Labour politicians in Wales have allocated over £4million in public funds to support "gender equal" tree planting schemes in Uganda, whilst domestic services face mounting financial strain.
The funding supports the Mbale Tree Planting Project, which has operated since 2013 with objectives including climate mitigation, livelihood enhancement for Ugandan communities, and advancement of gender parity amongst female participants.
This international expenditure comes as Welsh residents experience deteriorating public services.
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|The Welsh Labour administration has allocated over £4million in public funds to support tree cultivation initiatives in Uganda
Hospital patients endure extended waiting periods for procedures, including hip operations, surpassing delays faced by their English counterparts.
Emergency ambulance provision has encountered substantial strain, whilst social care struggles with escalating requirements.
Educational facilities and public conveniences have closed, and residents face an average council tax increase of 7.2 per cent for the 2025-26 financial year.
The initiative recently marked a significant milestone with the cultivation of its 25 millionth tree.
Welsh Labour minister Jane Hutt said: "The distribution of 25 million trees in eastern Uganda is not only helping to combat climate change, it's transforming lives, particularly for women and young people across Uganda."
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|The Size of Wales programme, which channels taxpayer funds to Uganda, extends beyond forestry
The Size of Wales programme, which channels taxpayer funds to Uganda, extends beyond forestry.
Additional projects include apiculture initiatives in Africa through the Advancing Gender Equality for Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation scheme.
Welsh public money has also financed solar-powered vessels and charging infrastructure for the indigenous Wampis communities in Peru's northern Amazon region.
These international ventures operate under the broader remit of addressing global environmental challenges whilst promoting social development in recipient nations.
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|This international expenditure comes as Welsh residents experience deteriorating public services
Opposition politicians have condemned the overseas spending priorities.
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar told the Mail on Sunday: "People in Wales will be amazed that there is money to plant trees in Uganda, yet public toilets, libraries and other services are closing in their communities.
"Every pound spent on planting trees in Africa is a pound that is not being spent on public services here."
He argued that international relations fall outside Welsh government responsibilities, urging ministers to "focus on the things that they are responsible for such as our poorly performing schools and hospitals and getting to grips with the unacceptable waiting times in the Welsh NHS."
Conservative colleague Janet Finch-Saunders said: "It is time the Welsh Labour Government stopped this virtue-signalling and instead concentrated their spending priorities on the things that matter most to our tax-paying residents."
A Welsh Government spokesman said: "Climate change affects all of us, and we are stepping up to play our part in the world.
"These trees protect communities from floods and droughts, while connecting Welsh and Ugandan schoolchildren culturally and through practical environmental education opportunities.
"Earlier this year, we passed a £26billion budget, investing an extra £1.6billion in public services, strengthening our NHS, supporting schools and helping communities across Wales thrive."