Govt to plant 20 million indigenous trees

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The government has announced plans to plant 20 million trees to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability. 

Third Deputy Prime Minister, Rukia Nakadama, says the government will establish regional nursery beds to raise trees as part of country forest cover restoration efforts.

According to her, the regional nursery beds will serve as a resource for local communities supporting environmental sustainability and creating green jobs for the youth.

The regional nursery beds will serve as a resource for local communities supporting environmental sustainability and creating green jobs for the youth. (File photo)

“Uganda has been extremely successful in commercial forestry, and plantations of exotics have increased tree cover from 9% in 2015 to 13.5% today. However, there is a need for us to attend to our native species, too, because they fill critical ecological, social, and economic roles for our people,” she says.

According to the minister, Uganda has 854 indigenous tree species, of which 55 are threatened.

Uganda has 854 indigenous tree species, of which 55 are threatened. (File photo)

She made the revelation during the CEO breakfast meeting and High-level dialogue on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

Organised by Youth Go Green, a local NGO, the event was held at Naguru in Kampala under the theme of strengthening policy engagement in the achievement of SDG targets.



Between 1990 and 2010, Uganda lost an average of 880,150 hectares of trees or 1.86 per cent every year, while from 2001 to 2022, it lost over one million hectares, according to data from the Ministry of Water and Environment.

Uganda lost an average of 880,150 hectares of trees or 1.86 per cent every year. (File photo)

Experts say this continuous loss of tree cover is already taking a toll, as evidenced by prolonged periods of drought and erratic rainfall, which has affected agricultural viability.

Antonio Querido, the country representative of the Food and Agricultural Organisation, said protection of the country’s forests is not only important for Uganda but also for the entire global wellbeing.

Dr. Antionio Querido, the country representative of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), remarking during the CEO’s breakfast meeting and High Level dialogue on sustainability and SDG’s at Next media park. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

He said, for Uganda to achieve its global commitments on climate change, the country should leverage its potential in renewable energy, including solar, to reduce emissions.

“At the same time, we should do our utmost to ensure we reduce poverty and enhance food security for all,” he said.

Edwin Muhumuza, the team leader of Youth Go Green Organisation, called for the sustainable use of the country’s natural resources, including oil, to avoid harming the environment. He said this can be done by ensuring sustainable processes to produce the oil.

"As the country moves into exploitation, there is a need to strike a balance between environmental sustainability and the environment,” he said, adding this includes adopting environmental social governance principles.