Uganda’s miss tourism plants a tree at the event to mark World Forestry Day
Commemoration of the 2019 World Forest Day in Uganda took place on March 21 and marked part of the events of the Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK).
One of the key activities of the day was a field visit to Kyansozi Central Forest Reserve.
The walk through the forest was both disturbing and refreshing. It was disturbing because the forest has been severely depleted by locals who have cut all the trees and replaced them with marijuana fields. It was refreshing because NFA, working with Youth Go Green is investing a lot of time and resources in replanting and regenerating the trees.
In Mubuta Parish in Kamengo, for example, truckloads of timber were a common sight – manned by youthful locals. A 30-year old man who preferred anonymity said that illegal logging is the only way they can make a living as many youths in the area are unemployed.
“We are many who do this kind of business, other do charcoal burning, brick making while others plant Marijuana,” he confessed. This he says is for the survivor since they claim government has not paid attention to them.
But all hope is not lost as National Forest Authority (NFA) together with Mpigi District Farmers Association and Youth Go Green embarked on an initiative to plant 5,000 trees to restore the nature forest which was destroyed by the communities.
On March 21st alone, the youth who had visited the forest planted over 5000 trees. In partnership with the National Forest Authority they restored one of the forests which was cut down by the community.
Edwin Muhumuza, the Executive Director Youth Go Green, explained that they intend to plant over 10 million trees in a space of five years around the country. He said that across the region they have so far planted 3 million trees.
Muhumuza said that as youth they have taken on the initiative to plant trees where government will avail them the space.
According to the Commissioner, Forestry Sector Support, Margaret Adata the communities in Kyansozi cut down a forest of about five acres for commercial activities like growing marijua which they believed would give them quick income.