ENVIRONMENT | FOREST | ENCROACHERS

In a bid to promote conservation of Natural forest reserves and private forests in Kikuube and Hoima districts, farmers who have been deriving their livelihood from the reserves have been supported with different inputs to conserve the forest reserve instead of destroying them for cultivation.

Beneficiaries under their group Wambabya Forest Conservation and Development Association are from Igwajura and Bumbogo parishes in Kabwoya sub-county, Kidoma parish in Kiziranfumbi sub-county and Ruguse and katanga parish in Bugambe sub-county among others.

The farmers are supported under the three-year project implemented by the Jane Goodall Institute with funding worth sh1.3b from Australia Development Agency. 

The project started in 2021 and is targeting to reach 3000 households in Kikuube and Hoima districts.

The project dubbed Green Lug Forestry Restoration is aimed at conserving the habitants of Chimpanzees to reduce wildlife and human conflicts.

Timothy Akugizibwe, the Programs Manager for the Jane Goodall Institute said that the project is targeting farmers adjacent to the Wambabya forest reserve, which stretches from Hoima to Kikuube district.

He noted that the project is supporting the beneficiaries with improved seeds, tree seedlings, Goats and beehives.

Akugizibwe said that before the project kicked off, the beneficiaries signed a memorandum of understanding with NFA committing to protect the forest reserve. 

"We first delivered seeds such as beans, Maize and Banana suckers and today Wednesday (October 4) have delivered 54 goats to the beneficiaries. 

In the next phase, we shall be giving them beehives. We are doing this to promote conservation and residents can only be allowed to get medicine and firewood from the forest,” Akugizibwe said.

According to him, each group member is given one goat and after the delivery, the beneficiaries will be passing on a kid to those group members who will have missed out.

The Kikuube district speaker Chris Nkalu said they are excited about the initiative adding that such initiative is complementing the government's effort to promote conservation and fight against poverty. 

He noted that there is alarming destruction of forests and wetlands for human activities such as agriculture and charcoal burning, adding any partner coming to support the district in environmental conservation is welcome with one hand.

Francis Abitekaniza, the assistant chief administrative officer commended Jane Goodall Institute for supporting the local communities to have income-generating activities to facilitate them to conserve the environment.

Obadia Francis, the association chairperson said the project has helped many farmers move out of the protected areas and earn a living from livelihood alternatives.