KAMPALA — The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Uganda has launched a UGX. 14billion natural forests regeneration program in Uganda.
The 20-year project launched on Tuesday June 29 in Kampala, is funded by Velux will be implemented by WWF Uganda and the National Forestry Authority (NFA).
Mr. David Duli, the WWF Uganda Country Director said the project is aimed at regenerating the most deforested natural forests including Muzizi and Budongo ranges.
Both forests showed the highest levels of forest loss (over 60% of the forests in this region have been lost between 2005 and 2015), according to data provided by government’s NFA.
Mr. Duli reaveled that the project will be implemented in the Bugoma-Kagombe landscape which comprises of Bugoma, Kyamurangi Group of Central Forest Reserves, Kagombe, and Kitechura/ Ibambaro Central Forest Reserves using a mix of approaches that include active planting on the central forest reserves, boundary strengthening, and engaging communities to participate in the protection of these reserves.
The project will also focuse on reducing pressure on forests.
The long-term outcome, he said, forest cover in the landscape will be regenerated to create a positive impact on carbon stocks and community benefits with a focus of at least 1 million tons of carbon emissions in the 20th year of the project,” he said.
“We are cognizant that the country is working to restore landscapes back to the 1990 levels. We applaud efforts to move from 9% in 2013/14 to currently 12% as of 2021. We hope that our efforts will contribute to the 24% target,” he said.
The 20-year project will have five years of active implementation, five years of maintaining the planted areas and 10 years of monitoring the impacts on carbon, biodiversity, community and households.
He challenged the NFA one of the lead implementors to ensure the project is delivered on schedule, technically sound and financially transparent.
“We ask that NFA designates a focal person at headquarters from the senior management team to liaise and coordinate project activities with our WWF team. In addition, we shall have to establish joint structures to steer the project,” Mr. Duli said.
