NORTHERN UGANDA TREE PLANTERS ADVOCATE FOR NATIONAL FORESTRY AUTHORITY EMPOWERMENT

By Joyce Apio

www.mknewslink.com

In Gulu City:

Tree planters from two cities and 15 districts in Northern Uganda have voiced their strong support for the National Forestry Authority (NFA), calling for its empowerment as an independent agency or even as a full Ministry of Forestry. These advocates, deeply engaged in forestry conservation, credit NFA with significant environmental and community benefits.

“NFA has been very useful, creating a symbiotic relationship where the forest helps us, and we benefit in return,” said Dina Ajok, a member of a Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) group. “Opit Forest is useful to us and the future of our children. Thanks to NFA, the forest has been revived, and the community helps protect it.”

Ajok highlighted how the forest, once limited to the edges near the road with few indigenous trees, had been nearly destroyed by people from the IDP camp who cut down the trees.

“It was NFA that resurrected the forest with the help of the community. Rain wasn’t reliable here, but NFA kept educating the people, and when the trees grew, we started receiving rain. NFA has done a great job in our lives; we grow crops and live a better life,” she added.

Oola Dennis echoed these sentiments, noting the positive impact of NFA’s efforts on local agriculture and quality of life. “NFA and the community are doing a great job to improve our environment, and we need more land for tree planting,” added Akullu Sofia.

Odida Michael, reflecting on the changes, remarked, “There is a big change compared to where people were in a camp. Where we are sitting was once a camp.”

Langoya Council Dickson, a conservationist turned plantation owner, has seen success through a public-private partnership with NFA. Since 2006, he has managed 130 hectares in Opok Central Forest Reserve (CFR).

“Land was made available in a forest reserve designated for tree planting, with grants from the EU – SPGS, training, and technical backstopping. Most people viewed it negatively, but those of us who followed the rules are now benefiting from this initiative,” Langoya said.

He emphasized the importance of learning from NFA and restoring the physical integrity of forests, noting that he has become a case study in the Acholi region with a certified tree nursery.

Richard Komakech from Opit Upper Cell also expressed concern about the possible transfer of NFA responsibilities to other ministries, calling it a big mistake.

He urged the Natural Resources Committee to ensure the allocation of resources to NFA and the provision of amenities in CFRs.

Dr. Balle Turyahumura of New Woodland Forests Company supported these sentiments, stressing the need to protect NFA’s role, including the National Tree Seed Centre in Namanve.

“We need to save our National Tree Seed Centre in Namanve with government support,” added Onen Pope, a retired forest officer from Gulu City.