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Generally forest resources in Uganda offer a wide
range of non- timber products and services; they
provide various ecological functions such as watershed
protection, erosion control, wind breaks, climate
amelioration and carbon sequestration. Uganda’s forests
are a habitat to a diverse range of animal and plant
species that are a potential for eco-tourism attraction.
Some of these species are endemic; others are rare
or threatened, while others are important as national
heritage. Uganda’s tropical high forests in particular are
one of the most diverse ecosystems in the tropical world.
About 20,000 plant species are known to exist. Due to
their diversity in food and habitat, Uganda’s forests
are also rich in bird life. For example, over 1,000 bird
species have been listed in the country of which 33%
are entirely found in forest areas. Also Uganda’s forests
support such rare species as the mountain gorilla (
Gorilla
gorrilla berengei
), found in Bwindi impenetrable and
Mgahinga forests of which only about 600 are known
to exist in the whole world, with this part of the world
being their only habitat.
There are numerous threats to forests and consequently,
the rapid shrinkage of forest estate and demise of the
forest resources in Uganda. These include among others:
rapid population growth leading to increased demand
for land, food and energy, and hence rapid clearance of
forests; unsustainable harvesting of the forest products
and the degradation of the resource base; encroachment
on gazetted forest reserves by surrounding communities;
and urbanization, and industrial growth which are
particularly putting pressure on peri- urban forests.
Katuugo Forest Reserve planted by National Forestry Authority (NFA),
Nakasongola District (2008)
Budongo forest at “Mailo kumi”, along the Masindi – Paraa Road
via Kichumbanyobo Gate (2002)
Oliver Van straaten
NEMA 2009
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