Ugandan Leaders Push for New Forest Management
Local leaders in Uganda are calling for new strategies to manage the critical Bugoma and Budongo forests. They are seeking sustainable solutions that can effectively balance conservation efforts with the economic needs of the local communities who depend on the forests.
The forests form a critical corridor for wildlife, including over 600 chimpanzees in Bugoma and linking populations with Budongo. This biodiversity is under severe threat, with Uganda having lost over 60% of its forest cover in the last three decades. The primary drivers of this deforestation are the expansion of agriculture and the high demand for wood fuel and charcoal. A significant point of conflict has been the leasing of 5,779 hectares of Bugoma Forest to Hoima Sugar Ltd. for a sugarcane plantation, a move that has been contested by conservation groups. This single project represents about 14% of the total forest area. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has previously ordered Hoima Sugar to restore degraded areas after finding the project led to the deforestation of a protected nature reserve. In response, leaders are pushing for Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) programs, which involve communities in the protection and sustainable use of the forests. These programs aim to provide alternative livelihoods and reduce local communities' dependence on destructive practices. Some studies have shown that CFM can improve forest conditions by reducing illegal activities and increasing the number of healthy trees. Viable economic alternatives being explored include the development of ecotourism. A 2022 study by the Inclusive Green Economic Network-East Africa projected that promoting chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, and nature walks in Bugoma Forest could generate over $547,500 in annual revenue. This would create jobs in guiding, accommodation, and local crafts. Agroforestry is another key strategy, encouraging the planting of trees alongside crops. Organizations like WWF-Uganda have been working with the National Forestry Authority to provide farmers with thousands of coffee and tree seedlings. This approach helps to restore tree cover outside the main forests, improve soil fertility, and provide farmers with additional income from timber and other forest products. The charcoal industry, a major driver of deforestation, has an estimated annual turnover of $333 million in Uganda, with the government losing an estimated $72.7 million in potential taxes and fees. Projects are now underway to introduce more efficient charcoal production methods, such as kilns that can increase the charcoal yield from 100 kg of wood from 10 kg to 40 kg, and to promote the creation of woodlots for a sustainable fuel source.
