Mabira Forest Conservation Project

Mabira forest covers 306 sq. km in Uganda. Despite its importance (ranking 7th in overall importance for biodiversity in the country), Mabira is suffering from deforestation and degradation due to population pressure, leading to encroachment for farming, and unsustainable (and illegal) use of forest products (timber, charcoal). The forest department has the role to implement conservation measures, and this has led to violent clashes with the communities. The forest department staff is lacking resources to pay proper salaries, and have no means to effectively do their work. Finally, monkeys are sometimes eating the crops, leading to conflict. Uwowa is proposing to change this situation for the better by working on awareness raising; improving agricultural productivity and marketing of products like vegetables and fruit; and planting of multipurpose trees.

Through the project, awareness of over 5,000 people was raised by seminars and workshops. IEC materials were produced and distributed (posters and /booklets). Training sessions attended by a total of 1,600 persons were conducted in tree nursery establishment, managing income generating activities, soil conservation, improved agricultural practices, and sustainable utilisation of natural resources. * Nursery equipment was purchased and tree nurseries and woodlots have been established, producing 100,000 seedlings with 45 acres planted in four community woodlots with over 5,000 trees planted by individuals. Two communities have been able to sign collaborative forest management agreements. Income generating activities for over 450 people were facilitated (pigs, goats, vegetables, fruit trees, crafts). A challenge was formed by weather conditions, which early 2005 prevented new trees to be transplanted, causing a small number of individuals to restart illegal logging practices.