Uganda



Programme Summary


During 2009 the Uganda Program distributed a fantastic 500,000 seedlings throughout Uganda, with an additional 250,000 seedlings in nurseries. Organisations are constantly asking for seeds and support, as the Uganda Program continues to expand. The first quarter during 2009 demonstrated the great potential that partnering organisations have in implementing tree planting projects with local NGO's and Community-Based Organizations (CBO's). There is real potential that the Uganda Program will be the most successful program in the East Africa Region in terms of number of trees planted.
Partners Network

ACTS - Kirimya Development Volunteers Association - Randa United Farmers Group - Ugandan Scouts - Bugandan Kingdom - Organic Perspectives - Billion Trees Network - Global Link Network - Seeds of Hope Foundation - AID AFRICA - Rotary Club - Buyunja Community Agroforesters




Background

Over a quarter of Uganda’s surface area is covered by water. Uganda is a landlocked country meaning that it is virtually enclosed by land. Most of the land area is 1,000 meters above sea level. The North East coast is taken up mostly by semi-arid desert, leaving the rest of the country dominated by forests and savannas.


Increasing uses in firewood is causing much of the deforestation and with only a quarter of Uganda’s land left arable, an increasing demand is placed upon available land. Many farmers are being forced to produce the same amount of food on less land, which is an almost impossible task. Couple this with overgrazing and an over increasing population, the problems not only affect the farmers but also the Ugandan people as whole.

The Response

Partnering organisations initially distributed 200, 000 seeds and projects have spread throughout Uganda, focusing primarily on providing trees to local communities to assist in the productions of firewood and livestock fodder. Work with several local and international Non government organisations (NGO’s) has been of paramount importance as the development and implementation of training workshops has been necessary in order to maintain and teach tree nursery management and agro forestry techniques.


November 2009 saw partnering organisations, individuals and schools working together on the Uganda Program employing tree planting and agro forestry projects. The school component of the tree planting program included the sensitization of 300 students per workshop. The workshop included a demonstration tree nursery, which allowed for each student to receive 5 seedlings to plant in each of their homes. The school program has been a great success with over 90 percent of students planting seedlings in their homes.


The Uganda Program is also working closely with the Peace Corps, and are provided support and training materials to 8 Peace Corps Volunteers throughout Uganda. The Volunteers have been very enthusiastic to be involved in the tree planting projects and are very eager to work with partnering organisations to promote knowledge transferable to rural Uganda Communities. There has been a demonstrable growing interest by Ugandans to plant trees that help provide firewood and livestock fodder in rural communities.