Gerald Tenywa
19 November 2008
Kampala — UGANDA is to face a timber shortage in the next two years. The crisis is likely to persist for two decades, top forestry experts have warned.
Officials of the EU-funded Saw Log Production Grant Scheme said only 1,000 hectares of timber plantations in Nakasongola, Lendu and Kyenjojo in western Uganda are remaining.
Paul Jacovelli, a technical adviser under the scheme, said three decades ago, the plantations covered 12,000 hectares but were reduced to 3,000 hectares five years ago.
The plantations are meant for timber growing, while natural forests are to conserve the environment.
Jacovelli said the deficit was covered by timber from Congo. He was speaking during a tour organised for the European Commission head of delegation, Ambassador Vincent de Visscher, to the Saw Log Grant Scheme forestry project sites in Mukono district. Commercial planting of trees started during the colonial era, but was disrupted by political instability in the 70s and 80s.
"Commercial planting of trees resumed in 2002 and so far, only 20,000 hectares have been established," Jacovelli said. "But these will mature in two or three decades and there is need for continuous planting since the country will need 150,000 hectares in 20 years ."
De Visscher said the EU would offer a $10m grant to the scheme, starting next year. He also promised to support private tree investors.
The EU team visited Kifu Nursery, where Uganda Gatsby, a private firm, is raising clones of eucalyptus, which the group members said mature faster than the existing eucalyptus species.
Other areas the team visited included Jose Plantations, Ferdsult Engineering Services in Lugazi and communities in Buvunya village at the edge of Mabira Forest Reserve in Mukono.
Allan Amumpe, an official at the saw scheme, said they provide subsidies to private investors or communities with land between 25 and 500 hectares for tree planting.
He, however, said investors were discouraged from growing timber in protected areas due to encroachment by locals.
Three years ago, the President issued an order halting the eviction of encroachers from protected areas.
To address such challenges, private investors have formed an association to lobby for their interests.
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