“Between 2015 and 2018, some charcoal cartels counted among their members a senior cabinet minister, two senior army commanders and an assistant commissioner of the Ugandan Police Force,” the report says.
The project comes at the backdrop of a dwindling forest cover, plummeting from
24 per cent of the area in 1990 to nine per cent in 2015, according to a report on the State of Uganda's Forestry. It is now up to 12.5, according to Tom Okello, the head of the National Forestry Authority (NFA).
Rt. Rev. Samson Naimanhe, the Bishop of Busoga Diocese who led the thanksgiving service, called for the sensitisation of cane farmers in the region on each clause in the bill before it is discussed by parliament.
Under the arrangement, Uganda has committed to reduce agricultural expansion to forest areas, reduce the use of wood sourced from Natural Forests, restore natural forests, and maintain the existing forested areas as well as improving and expanding Community Forest Management.
Jessica Kyakuwa, a charcoal retailer at Kijjabwemi roadside Market along Mbarara-Masaka road in Masaka municipality explains that their suppliers are currently rationing the available.
Yonasani Nsereko, an eye witness says no sooner had the victims reached Kyepukulu, than they were hit by a huge tree that was being cut down by unidentified lumberman.
Kenneth Musinguzi, the Bundibugyo district natural resources coordinator, says that they can’t look on any more while climate change continues affecting the livelihoods of several households in the region.
The women have formed groups and have been trained how to adapt to the effects of the climate change. Kichwamba Women Development Trust is working with ten women groups in the sub counties of Kichwamba, Bukuku, Kisomoro, Rwimi and Karangura, to train women about how to cope with the effects of climate change.
Kibaale District local government has set stringent restrictions on timber dealers and users of other forest products following the lifting of the ban on timber production.
The New Forest Company (NFC) that manages Luwunga forest reserve in Kiboga and Kyankwanzi districts is appealing for clear demarcation of the reserve\'s boundaries by National Forest Authority (NFA).
Politicians in Kabarole are being accused for being an obstacle to the implementation of the environment by-laws that were passed by the district council.
Kyenjojo district local government will spend 80% of its local revenue to control deforestation. Deforestation is alarmingly high in Bugaki, Matiri, Rugombe, Kihura, Nyantungo and Nyankwanzi.
