Ugandans asked to grow more trees for wood houses

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Ugandans have been asked to plant more trees to power the wood house construction sector.

Jerome Nuwabaasa, an Industrial officer at the trade ministry, says using wood in construction is better than using concrete because wood can be a renewable resource grown and regrown through natural processes and forestry management programmes.

Nuwabaasa says wood is also biodegradable, decomposing much more quickly than materials such as concrete, metal and plastics, thus replenishing the soil.

"I'm, therefore, appealing to Ugandans to plant more trees on a commercial basis," he adds.

He made the call at the Woodlife Business breakfast seminar at the Swedish ambassador's residence in Kampala on February 6, 2025.

Some of the participants who attended the Woodlife breakfast meeting. ( Photo by Jovita Mirembe)

Nuwabaasa said Ugandans might be worried about the cutting down of trees to construct wood houses as a new innovation in the construction sector, which will bring about climate change but in this, he said that if Ugandans embrace commercial tree growing, they will be harvesting not doing deforestation because this is an artificial forest which grows in 8-20 years depending on what one wants to use the wood for compared to a natural forest which grows within 20 to 40 years for fast-growing species while slow-growing species can take 100 years.    

Woodlife Business is an initiative that seeks to match the needs for sustainable construction in East Africa with Swedish expertise across the forest-based value chain.

The seminar highlighted wood and forest as a renewable and living resource, which can be leveraged for sustainable architecture, innovative design and urban development.          

Swedish ambassador to Uganda, Maria Håkansson, said with 70% of Sweden covered by forests, the nationals have improved innovative practices to maximise the value of wood while preserving the environment.

She said that from mass timber construction to advancements across the entire wood value chain, the Swedish government stands ready to share this expertise with the world through various initiatives and platforms.

Håkansson said this is a platform to boost international collaboration and act as a base for discussions and seminars on urban challenges.

‘‘Sweden and Uganda enjoy a long-standing partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared goals. Since Uganda’s trees grow faster than those of Sweden, Uganda can export some wood to Sweden for the construction of wood houses. Our collaboration dates back to the late 1980s and has since flourished across various sectors. This is why I am proud to announce that the Swedish Government recently adopted a new Strategy for Development Co-operation with Uganda for the period 2025–2029.

The objectives of the strategy include promoting freedom, democracy and fighting oppression, Improving the health of the most vulnerable, trade and entrepreneurship that is sustainable and contributes to job creation and increased prosperity,’’ Hakansson said.

Catherine Nanteza, a real estate expert, who doubles as the managing director of Pishon Consults Ltd, asked the Swedish government to involve real estate agencies and developers, construction companies and the media in various trainings that demonstrate the type of wood supposed to be used in wood house construction, so that they can disseminate the right information to the masses.    

The event brought together representatives of visionaries, policymakers, and innovators, all united by a commitment to explore opportunities and tackle challenges in commercial forestry and the sustainable wood industry where pictures of and exhibition of wood houses were displayed.