By: Ismael Kasooha

KAMPALA

The European Union (EU) has committed 48m Euros towards enhancing forestry management and conservation in the country.

The announcement was made by the Ambassador of the European Union to Uganda, H.E. Jan Sadek during a partnership meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala.

The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah and was attended by Ministers who included the Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the Minister for Trade and Cooperatives Francis Mwebesa, Minister for Karamoja Affairs Peter Lokeris and State Minister for Energy Okasai Opolot and Technical officers.

The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah talking to Leader of the delegation of partners implementing projects and programmes in Karamoja sub region

Sadek expressed appreciation for the political engagement and the long-standing partnership between Uganda and the EU in the forestry sector.

“The EU has committed 40 million Euros to the partnership, with an additional 8 million Euros from Denmark,” said Sadek.  The EU Ambassador highlighted the importance of forest preservation as a critical component of global climate change mitigation.

The Ambassador expressed support for regular political dialogue, which will take place at the Permanent Secretary and Ministerial levels.  It was stressed that transparency, good governance, and collaborative efforts were key for the continued success of the program.

Sadek, on behalf of the delegation, was pleased with Uganda’s commitment to forest management and affirmed its readiness to continue supporting sustainable forestry practices in the country.

The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah underscored the critical message articulated by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni regarding the importance of exporting value-added forest products rather than raw timber and related forest products.

“This vision is essential not only for the sustainability of our forests but also for driving the transformation of Uganda’s economy. The EU, through its ongoing support and collaborative efforts, has made a significant contribution, as a strategic partner, to shaping the future of Uganda’s forestry sector, and we look forward to continuing this partnership in the coming years,” she noted.

Nabbanja said that whatever is being done should be in line with the Presidential Directive.

The Premier chairing the European-Uganda Forest partnership meeting at OPM in Kampala

“The ban on non-value-added forest products remains firm and I urge all relevant working committees—both technical and political plus our law enforcement bodies—to maintain the required vigilance to uphold this policy. It is through this strong commitment that we will safeguard the integrity of Uganda’s forests for generations to come,” noted Nabbanja.

The Premier expressed confidence that the continued partnership with the EU and other Development Partners would unlock the full potential of Uganda’s forest resources.  “By focusing on sustainable forest management and value-added production, we will not only improve livelihoods but also contribute to global climate change mitigation efforts,” she said.

Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the Attorney General, advised that the MoU should clearly show how timber harvesting corresponds well with the trees planted so that the country does not run short of forests.

The Uganda-EU Forest Partnership MoU was signed on November 8, 2022, at the UNFCCC CoP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and further reinforced through the Roadmap signed on June 29, 2023.  Government has committed to improving governance and promoting sustainable use and management of our forest resources.

The €40 million EU grant under this partnership plays a crucial role in supporting projects such as forest restoration, anti-trafficking of forest products, and the development of both timber and non-timber value chains. This partnership confirms the shared goals of the EU and Uganda in addressing deforestation, forest degradation, and fostering resilience through better forest governance.

According to reports, the EU’s support through UNODC in the fight against forest crimes, Uganda has made strides in improving law enforcement and governance structures. However, continued vigilance from both technical and political teams is paramount to ensuring that we stay on track with our goals.

Key issues raised during the meeting:

Biomass use:   High reliance on biomass (90%) for energy was noted as a negative factor, requiring urgent action to address energy sustainability and reduce biomass dependency.

Export of Raw Timber: The need to review the export ban on raw timber was discussed, with suggestions for regulating the export of processed timber

Other issues:  National Forestry Authority infectiveness, Forest Cover and Value Addition.

Forest Management:  At least1.6 million acres of forests are being managed sustainably in Uganda.

In a related development, the Prime Minister held discussions with the Development Partners operating in Karamoja sub region to enhance collaboration and effectiveness in responding to issues of Karamoja.

The Premier agreed with the partners that there is a need to assess the interventions being implemented in Karamoja and also visit the locus.

End