Forestry Services

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) was a government agency established under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act (NFTPA) of 2003. Its mandate was to manage Uganda’s Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) - forests owned by the central government - on behalf of the government and the people of Uganda.

Following Government’s rationalisation of agencies, the NFA’s functions are now carried out by the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Water and Environment. The Central Forest Reserves continue to be managed, and the services previously provided by the NFA continue to be available, through the Department.

The core mandate - managing Central Forest Reserves and supplying quality forestry products and services to the public and private sectors - continues under the Forestry Department.

Section 54 of the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003 set out the specific functions of the National Forestry Authority. Following rationalisation, these functions are discharged by the Forestry Department within the Ministry of Water and Environment.

Yes, the Forestry Department charges for technical advisory services. While basic advice is offered free of charge to farmers within CFRs, more detailed services - such as creating management plans, establishing nurseries, conducting silvicultural operations, and providing financial analysis and projections - are available for a reasonable fee. These services are managed by the Private Forestry Promotion Unit, which supports the Forestry Department’s mandate of supplying high-quality forestry products and services to both the public and private sectors.

Under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act of 2003, responsibility for managing Central Forest Reserves rested with the National Forestry Authority. Following rationalisation, these functions are carried out by the Forestry Department within the Ministry of Water and Environment.

District Forestry Services are responsible for managing local government forests, community forests, and forests on private land within their respective jurisdictions. The Forestry Inspection Division, now known as the Forestry Management Department (FMD), provides support to both.

While the Forestry Department is responsible for managing CFRs, it can assist local governments in managing Local Forest Reserves (LFRs) through a fee-based arrangement. This assistance can include services such as mapping, seedling provision, and technical support.

There are currently 506 CFRs in Uganda, located across various regions of the country. These reserves account for approximately 15% of Uganda’s total forest cover, with the remaining 85% owned by local governments, private individuals, and institutions.

Forest Reserves serve several important purposes, including water catchment protection, preserving biodiversity, and providing timber and non-timber forest products. Forests also help combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and contribute to tourism, boosting national revenue.

The forest reserves were established to represent a significant portion of the country’s landscape. During colonial times, the government negotiated with various kingdoms to designate parts of their land as forest reserves. For example, Buganda offered 8% of its land. This contributed to the present-day forest cover in Uganda.

A Forest Reserve is a designated area of land, reserved by Act of Parliament, for developing forests or tree-growing activities. It can either be a forested area or an open land designated for future forest development.

A Forest is an area covered predominantly by trees, forming an ecosystem in balance with the surrounding environment.

Yes, forests play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide as they grow. About half of the dry weight of wood is carbon, which is stored in the tree’s tissues. When forests are cut, the carbon stored in the trees is released, contributing to global warming.

Yes, some areas of land within CFRs may be grasslands or woodlands. These are often designated for environmental protection, water catchment, or biodiversity conservation, and may also be used for non-timber forest products and services such as ecotourism. Not all CFRs are densely forested, and some may be in the process of reforestation.

The the Forestry Department is working to demarcate riverbanks as required by environmental statutes. For lakeshores, a 200-meter strip of natural vegetation is left intact. Where vegetation has been removed, indigenous species are being replanted. For larger rivers, a 100-meter buffer zone is maintained, and for smaller ones, a 50-meter zone is recommended.

Yes, additional land can be allocated if available, and the applicant has demonstrated progress in tree planting. However, if there are many qualified applicants, the allocation process is competitive and fair.

This depends on the assessment by Forestry Department field staff. If you have a good track record of responsible land use and have not engaged in illegal activities (such as grazing or farming) in the CFR, you may be allowed to plant close to the boundary. However, if there are concerns about misuse of the land, the Forestry Department may suggest an alternative location.

The National Forestry and Tree Planting Act No. 8, 2003, prohibits activities on land reserved as Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) without authorization. If prohibited activities, such as illegal pit sawing or charcoal burning, are detected, the timber or charcoal is impounded, and other legal actions are taken. These measures include fining the owners of vehicles or vessels caught transporting illegal forest produce, as well as prosecuting individuals in court. Illegal settlers on forest land are evicted and may also face legal action.

The Tree Planting License grants you the authority to prevent such activities. Section 32 of the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act requires that all activities in a CFR must be licensed and comply with the Forest Management Plan. Any unauthorized activities, including grazing or crop cultivation, are illegal. Offenders should be prosecuted, and in volatile situations, the Forestry Department’s field staff and law enforcement can assist. Allowing illegal activities on your plot may lead to the cancellation of your license. It is important to protect your land from encroachers. Fencing off forest land can be permitted in exceptional circumstances with prior approval from the Forestry Department.

Proper land-use planning and conservation practices dictate that CFRs should not be used for purposes other than conservation or non-destructive ventures like tourism and beekeeping. Forest land is typically not fertile for crops, as most nutrients are absorbed by the trees. Moreover, trees have long-term environmental benefits, such as mitigating climate change, that crops cannot replicate.

CFRs are held in trust for the people of Uganda by the government through the Forestry Department. They are public resources meant to be accessible to all Ugandans. The National Forestry and Tree Planting Act (Section 5, 2003) empowers individuals and organizations to take legal action against those whose actions threaten the forests. Protection of CFRs is a collective responsibility, and fencing alone would not effectively prevent encroachment. The the Forestry Department employs other, more efficient means of forest protection, considering both the costs of fencing and its limited ability to stop illegal activities entirely.

Following Government’s rationalisation of agencies, the National Forestry Authority’s functions have been brought under the Forestry Department in the Ministry of Water and Environment. Services previously obtained from the NFA - including tree seeds and seedlings, technical advisory services, licences and permits for Central Forest Reserves - are now handled by the Department. Information and documents previously published on the NFA website are available on this site.

While trees take time to mature (some species up to 20 years), they are still a valuable investment for the following reasons:

Planting trees contributes to environmental sustainability and is personally fulfilling, much like owning livestock.

Trees offer high returns on investment (over 14% in Uganda).

They provide social security benefits, such as supporting education or retirement needs.

Once established, they require minimal investment but yield high returns.

It is recommended to plant trees a distance equal to the mature height of the species being planted, ensuring that even during harvesting, the trees fall within your own land.

Transferring land allocated for tree planting is not allowed. However, you may cancel your license and transfer your planted trees to another party, provided the new party agrees to the same conditions.

The the Forestry Department is working to prevent encroachment and degradation in CFRs. It is also encouraging private investment in afforestation by offering land at minimal fees and promoting tree planting nationwide. the Forestry Department provides quality tree seeds and seedlings at affordable prices and offers technical support for nursery and plantation management.

The permit fee acts as a regulatory mechanism to prevent individuals from under-pricing their competitors in the market. If the harvested timber is for personal use, no fee is necessary.

Unless specified by the Minister, any tree that is not located in a CFR is regulated by the District Forest Officer (DFO) or another person authorized by the Minister. In the case of the Forestry Department, its Law Enforcement Unit is responsible. On request, the Forestry Department also offers advisory services to private tree-planters on sustainable forestry practices. However, permission is not typically required before cutting trees, unless specified otherwise.

In 2004, the Minister responsible for Water, Lands and Environment issued a statutory instrument declaring chainsaw use as contraband. This decision was widely publicized in the press, and it remains the legal basis for enforcement interventions today. The details of this instrument are available on request.

Yes, only the Minister for Water and Environment has the exclusive discretion to grant permission for chainsaw use. Any individual seeking clearance must provide valid reasons for their request.

Yes, you can purchase the timber by participating in an auction when it is held.

Timber:

Pine: 1,100 seedlings (spacing of 3×3 meters)

Eucalyptus: 1,100 seedlings (spacing of 3×3 meters)

Musizi: 625 seedlings

Poles (Eucalyptus): 1,600 seedlings (spacing of 2.5×2.5 meters).

Maesopsis: 900 seedlings

Eucalyptus: 100,000 seedlings

Pine: 30,000 seedlings

The cost ranges from 1.7 million to 2.1 million UGX.

Poles (Eucalyptus): 1.5 million UGX

Timber (Eucalyptus): 23 million UGX

Timber (Pine): 19.5 million UGX

Eucalyptus:

Construction Poles: 2-4 years

Transmission Poles: 11-13 years

Timber: 15 years

Pine Timber: 20 years