Forestry makes a crucial contribution to the ecology and energy needs of Uganda. Uganda’s forest resources are an essential foundation for the country’s current and future livelihood and growth. The overwhelming majority of Uganda’s household energy requirement is generated by forests. Forestry resources contribute six percent of GDP, and the sector employs 100,000 people directly and another 750,000 indirectly. Forestry supports wildlife and other forms of biodiversity vital for the country’s future heritage, as well as for generating foreign exchange through tourism. As such Uganda’s forests and woodlands are central to the three pillars of sustainable development – economy, society, and environment. There are 698 gazette forest reserves in Uganda and these constitute both local and central forest reserves.
The National Forestry Authority (NFA)manages central forest reserves, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) manages forests in national parks and wildlife reserves, while local forest reserves fall under the mandate of local governments(District Forestry Services) Uganda lost 27 percent (1,329,570 hectares in total or 88,638 hectares per year) of its original forest cover between 1990 and 2005. At this rate, forest resources are likely to be exhausted by 2050. Government efforts to increase forest cover through a Public-Private Partnership approach over the last decade have resulted in greater investment in forestry (mainly in the forest reserves than on private land). Although private financing in forestry is increasing (USD 50 million between 2002-2009), donor financing generally plays a crucial catalytic role in forestry investment.
Key Actions Western Uganda FBO Network is taking on Forests.
- Provide institutional support, linkages and networking on forestry conservation with CSOs, Churches, NGOs, National Forestry Authority (NFA), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), District Forestry Services (DFS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE)
- Create awareness on forestry policies and advocate for effective implementation of the policies such as Forestry Policy, 2001, National Environment Management Policy, 1994, National Environment Act, Cap 153, National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003 and Uganda Wildlife Act, Cap 200 among others.
- Provide technical support to both CSOs, FBOs, Local government councils, the national forestry authority and District Forestry services as well as community Forest Monitors to ensure their technical independence devoid of political interference as is currently the case.
- Lobby and advocate for commitment from government to ensure scale up forestry on private land and in forest reserves in terms of financing and establishment of effective institutional framework as well as monitoring its operation.
- Awareness among the local communities to forest degradation needs to be careful addressed, encouraging greater community involvement in protection of forestry on private and communal land and in forest reserves.
- Hold the government accountable to forest reserves which it holds in trust for the benefit of all Ugandans. As part of its oversight role, Western Uganda FBO Network will network with the Legislature who should ensure that government respects the public trust doctrine in forestry resources management.
- Advocate for enforcement of market guidelines for forest resources including also disclosure to the public forest resources market weaknesses including inappropriate royalties, poor market information, trade restrictions and hidden subsidies that distort the markets for forest products require the intervention of the Legislature.
- The reliance of Ugandans on forests for household energy requirements needs to be urgently addressed by encouraging alternative and sustainable sources of energy.
- Emergency funding for the local communities and individuals resisting untenable fossil fuel development and are being harassed judicially, public incitement among the community for their strong opposition to degradation of public forests.