Protecting Uganda’s regenerating forests: Why it matters to all of us

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OPINION

By Teddy Martina Omongo

Over the past two to three decades, Uganda has faced a growing environmental crisis driven by forest degradation. Deforestation, land grabbing and unsustainable resource use have steadily eroded the country’s forest resources. This degradation continues largely unchecked, fuelled by rapid population growth and the increasing demand for forest products and services.

Land grabbing in Uganda’s forests, often linked to urbanisation, commercial agriculture and industrial expansion, has caused severe deforestation, biodiversity loss and the displacement of local communities. In many cases, these acquisitions involve fraudulent practices and result in the replacement of natural forests with monoculture plantations or complete land-use change. The consequences include the destruction of livelihoods and rising food insecurity.

Amid this crisis, however, there is a quieter, hopeful story. Uganda’s forests are beginning to recover. Across many local and central forest reserves, natural regeneration is taking place. Forests are slowly rebuilding themselves through underground root systems, soil seed banks and the growth of indigenous species. Yet, instead of being protected, these recovering ecosystems are increasingly threatened by encroachers who mistakenly view them as “idle land.” This misunderstanding poses a serious risk to Uganda’s environmental future.

Over the last 30 years, Uganda’s forest cover has declined sharply from about 24% in 1990 to nearly half that today. In areas where human disturbance has been minimal, nature is gradually healing. Forest reserves that may appear open or sparsely vegetated are not empty; they are ecosystems in recovery. Because regeneration is not always immediately visible, these areas are often targeted for sand mining, farming, settlement, and commercial development.

Natural regeneration remains one of the most effective and cost-efficient methods of forest restoration. Unlike large-scale tree planting initiatives, it relies on native species that are already adapted to local conditions such as soil, rainfall, and climate. When left undisturbed, regenerating forests restore biodiversity, protect water sources, improve soil fertility and regulate local temperatures. However, once disrupted by activities like mining or cultivation, the delicate root systems and soil structure are destroyed, often halting regeneration permanently.

A clear example is the Kifu Central Forest Reserve in Mukono district. Covering 1,419 hectares and gazetted in 1932, Kifu was once a well-stocked natural high forest with critical ecological functions, including water catchment. It is drained by several rivers and streams, Kifu, Kasota, Lwajali, and Ssezibwa, which ultimately flow into Lake Victoria.

Encroachment in Kifu began as early as the 1940s and intensified between 1961 and 1971, with illegal timber harvesting becoming a major issue. This situation worsened during the political and economic instability of the 1970s and early 1980s, particularly following the breakdown of law and order after the 1979 war. These pressures left lasting impacts on the forest.

Despite this history, Kifu remains a vital national asset. Beyond being a green space, it provides food, fodder, energy, building materials, medicinal resources and income for surrounding communities. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental stability in the area. One of the key challenges today is managing the forest in a way that balances conservation with sustainable development, ensuring benefits for both men and women, especially the poor and vulnerable.

Kifu also serves as an important research site for the National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI). It supports studies on forest restoration, biodiversity, climate resilience, and forestry value chains. Its proximity to Kampala and its long management history make it particularly valuable for understanding how forests can recover when properly protected.

Continued encroachment in places like Kifu has consequences that go beyond environmental degradation. It undermines scientific research, weakens long-term planning, and deprives the country of the knowledge needed for sustainable forest management. At the community level, degraded forests contribute to flooding, soil erosion, and water shortages, challenges already affecting fast-growing districts such as Mukono and Wakiso.

Protecting regenerating forests is therefore not just an environmental concern; it is a matter of public safety, livelihoods, and national development. Healthy forests reduce disaster risks, support agriculture, and help Uganda meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, as well as national goals like Vision 2040.

Public awareness is essential. Ugandans must recognise that land within forest reserves that appears unused is often actively regenerating and legally protected. These areas are not vacant or available for private use; they are part of a natural recovery process that must be respected.

At the same time, stronger alignment between public understanding and policy action is needed. Integrating regenerating forests into land-use planning, improving boundary demarcation, preventing illegal land titling, and promoting community participation can significantly enhance forest protection. When communities are informed and involved, they become active stewards rather than passive observers of environmental destruction.

Uganda cannot afford to lose its forests twice, first through deforestation and again through neglect of regeneration. Regenerating forest reserves are not idle land; they are healing landscapes, quietly restoring the natural systems that sustain us all. Protecting them is a shared responsibility and will shape the environmental legacy we leave for future generations.

The writer is the development communications officer at NaFORRI in the National Agricultural Research Organisation