KAMPALA – The Mabira Rainforest in Buikwe District and Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in Kikuube District have been selected to benefit from the UGX 165 billion Forest Partnership between the government of Uganda and the European Union.
The development was revealed by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja during the political endorsement of the European Union-Uganda Forest Partnership roadmap, a forest restoration project geared at protecting Uganda’s declining forest cover.
Nabbanja said that during the implantation of the 10-year project that seeks to restore Uganda’s forest cover, the most degraded forests such as Bugoma and Mabira forests will be prioritised.
Ms Nabbanja said that it is appalling that deforestation is still taking place on a large scale with the harvested timber being exported at the detriment of the cushion environment in Uganda.
“Only factories processing timber within the country for plywood boards, furniture and other products should be allowed to operate. They should be the ones to operate and should have a sustainable harvesting plan that when a tree is cut, two or three are planted. It should be the standard practice around the country to protect the environment,” she said.
She added that it was terrible that the country had to wait for partnership and funds from the EU in order to implement the project saying it needed Uganda to do the work instead of waiting for funders from foreign countries.
“Does it require us to have this partnership to do this work? Why are we allowing the export of unprocessed timber and furniture expensively? Does that need a partnership with EU for us to act? Why can’t these furniture factories set up here and we export furniture? Only companies adding value to timber for import substitution and export should be allowed to operate,” Ms Nabbanja said.
The Premier said the partnership between the government of Uganda and the EU is committed to bringing an end to deforestation in the country.
“This partnership is our commitment to stop forest loss and reverse forest degradation and this will help us address drivers of forest loss through sustainable management and utilisation of the natural resources,” she added.
Ms Nabbanja disclosed that more than 150,000 jobs are expected to be created over the 10 years of the project.
She told local timber exporting companies to adhere to a presidential directive aimed to reverse forest cover depletion.
The Deputy EU Ambassador to Uganda, Mr Guillaume Chartrain, said the project aims at reducing deforestation and forest degradation and facilitating the production of and trade in legal and sustainable forest products.
He also said it is aimed at stimulating the forest bio-economy, creating jobs and socio-economic development through sustainable forest-related value chains and market access.
“The value we place on our partnership on forestry with Uganda is immeasurable because forests are essential for increasing the resilience of societies, absorbing carbon, providing timber, food, energy, medicines and livelihoods to millions of people, stabilising soil and regulating water flows, Mr Chartrain said.
He continued that transparency and inclusivity will guide the implementation of the roadmap with the government of Uganda involved together with the active participation of the private sector, civil society organisations and representatives from local communities.
The deputy ambassador said openness with clear indicators and benchmarks in the implementation and demand driven process to adapt to real and emerging needs will also guide the implementation roadmap.
Speaking at the same function, Ms Beatrice Anywar, the Water and Environment State Minister, said that government is committed to implementing the project.
“This partnership will deepen cooperation in the field of protection, restoration and sustainable use of forests aimed at enhancing the role of Uganda’s forests and forest resources in sustainable national development, addressing global challenges related to climate change and loss of biodiversity.”
New data from the UN indicated this week that Africa lost around 14,000 square miles of tree cover in 2022.
