OPINION
Editor, in May 2025, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) raised concerns over the continued large scale destruction of Bugoma forest reserve. The spokesperson of the Authority noted that what is observed currently inside the Bugoma forest is regretful, something that will cost Ugandans and ecosystems that include rivers, lakes, swamps which are likely to dry up. He added that people are destroying the forest front Bunyoro Kitara kingdom to carry out their illegalities.
Following NFA reports on the forest’s destruction, President Museveni early this month ordered all encroachers and self-claimed land owners in Bugoma central forest reserve to vacate the forest and way back in 2023, he also issued a directive banning commercial charcoal burning, a move which aimed at protecting the region’s dwindling forests. The directive was a response to increasing reports of large-scale deforestation driven by the charcoal trade.
Despite the president’s efforts, Bugoma Forest continues to be degraded at a large scale. The government should use a significant portion of the funds allocated under this European Union and the government of Uganda forestry partnership for restoration and reforestation of the degraded parts of forest.
It is noted that Uganda has been in a number of partnerships where in November 8, 2022, the European Union and the Government of Uganda signed the EU-Uganda Forest Partnership with the objectives of increasing the area of protected, restored, or sustainably managed forests, increasing forest-related decent jobs, reducing the annual rate of deforestation and promoting trade in legal and sustainable wood products. Under this partnership, Uganda committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22% by 2030, increasing forest coverage to 21% by 2030, and enhancing biodiversity conservation and restoration.
Moreso, in May 2025, the European Union committed 48 million Euros, approximately Shs 200 billion, to support Uganda in the restoration of forests and protection of the environment.
Additionally, in 2024, Uganda received 165b from European Union to protect forests by tackling deforestation and promote sustainable economic development. I appreciate the European Union’s generous commitment towards forest conservation in Uganda under the partnership. This partnership is a critical milestone towards achieving sustainable forest management, climate change mitigation, and the European Green Deal objectives.
However, despite these EU efforts and the government of Uganda’s commitments towards restoration of forests, Bugoma central forest reserve continues to face severe destructions due to illegal activities such as sugarcane and maize farming, charcoal burning, illegal logging among others, which threatens the forest ecosystem and the livelihoods of people within the community that depend on the forest. These activities are facilitated by illegal land titles, questionable Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) approvals, and the protection of armed forces leaving communities vulnerable and fearful.
It is noted that Bugoma forest originally covered 41,144 hectares but has suffered severe degradation by powerful individuals or companies claiming ownership which has led to over 40% loss of the forest cover.
The government of Uganda need to use a significant portion of the funds allocated under this European Union and Government of Uganda forestry partnership appropriately to restore the degraded part of Bugoma forest through strengthening enforcement against illegal encroachment and unsustainable forest use and support community-led forest conservation initiatives. Restoring of Bugoma and other forest reserves will enable the country to increase its forest cover up to at least 21% by 2030 as committed in the Memorandum of Understanding on a Forest Partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Uganda.
By Atuhaire Olive,
The writer is a Ugandan Environmentalist
Email: atuhaireolivia72.ao@gmail.com
