Deforestation has emerged as one of the most critical environmental challenges facing the world. The loss of forests not only depletes biodiversity but also exacerbates climate change impacts and threatens livelihoods, especially those in rural areas who depend on natural resources. This call is not just an environmental imperative, it is central to Uganda’s commitments to sustainable development as outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Uganda’s Vision 2040.

Forests provide vital services, such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and erosion control. Yet, Uganda’s forests have been under threat from agricultural expansion, logging, and illegal land use. According to Uganda’s Third National Voluntary Review (VNR) Report 2024, while the country has made some progress in increasing forest cover from 9.5% in 2015 to 13.3%, there is still much work to be done to reach the target of 15% forest cover by 2026. This recovery is fragile, and continued deforestation could quickly reverse the gains made, leading to severe consequences for Uganda’s people and environment.

Deforestation disrupts water cycles, leading to unpredictable rainfall and increased drought conditions. As forest cover is reduced, the ability of the environment to retain water decreases, leading to reduced availability of water for agriculture and households. This cycle creates a negative feedback loop, where environmental degradation fuels poverty, hunger, and inequality. Uganda’s third VNR report highlights that communities depending on subsistence agriculture, many of whom are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, are the most vulnerable to these changes.

Urgent action to halt deforestation is essential for Uganda to achieve SDG 15 (Life on Land), as well as SDG 13 (Climate Action), which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The government has introduced several policies, including the Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy, which encourages private sector investment in forest restoration and the promotion of sustainable land use practices. However, policy implementation must be strengthened, and local communities must be empowered to take ownership of forest conservation initiatives. Despite these challenges, Uganda has made progress in forest restoration, increasing forest cover from 9.5% in 2015 to 13.3% in 2024, with a goal of achieving 15% by 2026 under the National Development Plan (NDP III). National afforestation programs have been implemented, focusing on planting indigenous trees and integrating agroforestry into agricultural practices. Community participation is central to these efforts, with local communities engaging in reforestation projects that provide alternative livelihoods, such as eco-tourism and sustainable harvesting of forest products.

International partnerships also support Uganda’s reforestation efforts, with the country committing to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by 24.7% by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. However, resource constraints pose a significant challenge to combating deforestation, with the report emphasizing the need for innovative financing models. While policies are in place, weak enforcement of forest protection laws hampers progress, necessitating stronger governance frameworks to prevent illegal logging and land conversion.

Stopping deforestation also aligns with Uganda’s broader goals of socio-economic transformation, as emphasized in Vision 2040. Sustainable forest management can provide long-term economic benefits through eco-tourism, sustainable timber, and non-timber products, all of which contribute to job creation and poverty alleviation. Furthermore, forests play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity, ensuring food security, and enhancing resilience to climate shocks.

The fight against deforestation requires a coordinated effort from all stakeholders. Government ministries, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and local communities must collaborate to enforce regulations, promote sustainable land use, and raise awareness about the importance of forests.

Moving forward, Uganda plans to integrate forest conservation into its economic development agenda by promoting sustainable forest management, expanding tree-planting programs, and ensuring that forest-dependent communities benefit from these initiatives.