Kaabong/Karenga - The Ministry of Water and Environment through the Department of Forestry Management has commenced the review of the Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the Kabong Sector in the Karamoja Range ahead of the expiry of the current plan in November 2026.
The existing plan has guided forest management in the area since 2017. The new FMP will run for 10 years, from 2026 to 2036, and will cover eight Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) in Kabong and Karenga districts. The reserves are Timu, Nyangea-Napore, Lwala, Lomej, Loeichubei, Zulia, Murongule and Lotimputa CFRs.
“We are reviewing the existing Forest Management Plan together with stakeholders and communities around the Central Forest Reserves. We want to understand the opportunities the forests provide as well as the threats facing them,” said Owiny Senior Forest officer.
The consultations are also expected to identify measures to address challenges such as forest degradation and encroachment while promoting sustainable use of forest resources.
The FMP is important because it provides a legal and management framework for the conservation and sustainable management of Central Forest Reserves under Uganda’s forestry laws.
It also provides a clear picture of each reserve, including its size, boundaries and areas affected by encroachment, information that is important for planning and management.
The plan will also zone the forests according to different management needs, helping guide appropriate use and conservation of forest resources.
It will further guide the formation and strengthening of Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) arrangements, allowing communities to participate in forest conservation and management.
“Conservation cannot be separated from the livelihoods of the people around these forests. The plan should help communities benefit from sustainable forest management while protecting the forests,” the Charity Kansiime the Senior Economist noted.
An updated FMP will also provide a framework for attracting financial and technical support from conservation and development partners. The plan is therefore expected to provide a long-term framework for conservation, sustainable forest use, community participation and resource mobilisation across the eight CFRs in the Kabong Sector.
“The aim is to have a plan that is realistic, inclusive and responsive to the situation on the ground while ensuring that the forests are protected and sustainably managed for future generations,” the said Irene Kambedha Senior Forest Officer.