Status of forests in Uganda

Abstract

Trees, forests and woodlands cover about 14% of Uganda's land surface. Over the last 30-40 years, growth in human population and corresponding increase in demand for forest products for domestic and industrial use, expansion of agricultural land, illegal settlements and weak forest management capacity have adversely affected the status of natural forests in Uganda, particularly the biodiversity. Until recently, little attention had been paid to development of commercial forests which should have provided alternative forest products and services to relieve the pressure on natural forests and conserve biodiversity. As a result, Uganda's forests have been degraded, and in some cases, the biodiversity has been eroded. There is a need for regular data collection and monitoring of the status of the forests in terms of areal extent, distribution, plantation species introductions and biodiversity.

A review of Uganda's national policies relevant to climate change adaptation and mitigation: Insights from Mount Elgon

“…At the beginning of the 19th century, forests and woodlands covered approximately 45% of the total land area of Uganda (Obua et al 2010). The colonial government in Uganda established a comprehensive network of protected areas at the beginning of the 20th century to ensure a sustainable supply of economic, social and environmental services from forest resources.…”

“…Conflicting government policies, coupled with poor implementation of policies has resulted in poor governance of natural resources. The recent degazettement of forest reserves for the establishment of large-scale agricultural and forest plantations, industrial parks and urban centers is an example of conflicts between government policies (Obua et al 2010). …”

“…The target in the national development plan is to increase the permanent forest cover in Uganda from the current estimate of 14% (Obua et al 2010) to 24% (including natural and planted forests) by 2015 (GoU 2010b). The policy recognizes agricultural expansion as a threat to forest cover, but it is silent on strategies to address it.…”

Agroforestry and Management of Trees in Bunya County, Mayuge District, Uganda

“…However, most of these interventions such as the Sawlog Production Growers Scheme (SPGS) have targeted large plantation farmers and have ignored small holder farmers. Successful increase in tree/shrub cover requires the participation of small holder farmers because they own most of the land in Uganda: approximately 70% of all land in Uganda is privately owned by small holder farmers [6]. This means therefore that small holder farmers are invaluable stakeholders in interventions for increasing tree/shrub cover in Uganda.…”

Woody forest products utilization and rural area transformation in Eastern Uganda: a case of Nabitende Township, Iganga district

“…It was estimated that in 1890 approximately 45% (about 10.8 million ha (108,000 km2) of Uganda was forested and woodlands representing. Uganda is estimated to be losing about 50,000 (0.8%) of forestlands annually most of which occurs in woodlands outside the protected areas (FAO (1997) cited by National Environment Management Authority (NEMA),2001).The estate has reduced to 3.6 million hectares at a rate of 1.9%.This deforestation could be apportioned as private lands at nearly 1.3 million hectares while the gazatted 91,000 hectares (NFA (2008) cited by Obua et al, 2010).…”