By Charles Katabalwa
Government has been urged to urgently increase the number of forest rangers to combat illegal tree cutting, as conservationists warn that restoration campaigns risk being undermined by weak enforcement.
This call comes as the National Forestry Authority (NFA), in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment and NCBA Bank, launched an ambitious initiative to plant one million trees across Uganda. The campaign kicked off with the planting of 20,000 trees in Namananga Forest Reserve, part of Mabira Forest in Kangulumira Town Council, Kayunga District.
The nationwide exercise aims to restore Uganda’s rapidly declining forest cover. However, local leaders caution that without stronger protection, newly planted trees may not survive.
Kangulumira Mayor Robert Kiggundu highlighted the acute shortage of rangers, noting that in some areas only one or two officers are deployed to oversee vast forest reserves. “This creates loopholes that illegal loggers exploit,” he said, calling on government to expand ranger numbers and strengthen forest protection mechanisms.
NCBA Bank Chief Executive Officer Mark Muyobo underscored the urgency of the campaign, warning that Uganda has lost 41% of its forest cover since 1900. “This trend poses serious environmental risks,” he said. Muyobo emphasized that the one million tree-planting drive is a vital step toward reversing deforestation and safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
Juliet Mubi, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Water and Environment, welcomed the initiative as both timely and necessary. She urged more private sector partners and stakeholders to join the effort, stressing that collective action is essential to conserve Uganda’s forests and restore degraded ecosystems.
