environment 3 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Bushfires Ravage Tree Planting Efforts in Nakasongola, Undermining Conservation Goals
Repeated bushfires are destroying years of reforestation work in Nakasongola, Uganda, threatening conservation efforts and indigenous tree plantations. Farmers and officials highlight challenges with weak enforcement and lack of awareness. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/bushfires-undermine-tree-planting-conservation-efforts-in-nakasongola-5484178
Conservation initiatives in Uganda’s Nakasongola District are facing significant setbacks due to recurrent bushfires. Farmers and environmentalists report that years of dedicated tree planting are being systematically undone by uncontrolled burning, particularly during dry seasons.
Mary Namulemo, a local businesswoman and farmer, has seen her six-acre indigenous tree plantation devastated by fires twice since 2023. Her vision of establishing an eco-farm and tourism center has been severely impacted by these losses. “This is a big setback in our campaign to harness nature,” she stated, emphasizing the vulnerability of her Nabiswera Sub-county property.
Similar destruction is occurring across Katuugo, Kalungi, and Wabinyonyi sub-counties, where both plantation forests and natural vegetation are frequently consumed by flames. Charles Andama, Nakasongola District’s natural resources officer, acknowledged that despite numerous sensitization campaigns targeting communities, the problem persists. He noted that while the district encourages tree planting and conservation, controlling private landowners’ actions during land clearing remains a challenge.
Conservationists point to the weak enforcement of regulations on private land as a major contributor to the widespread destruction of indigenous vegetation. George Ssembiro, a conservationist and plantation owner, argued that environmental laws should apply even to privately owned land when it’s being cleared excessively for development, a practice often linked to charcoal production under the guise of land preparation.
Since 2021, Nakasongola has implemented a “Go Green Campaign” requiring households to plant at least five trees, supported by the National Forestry Authority (NFA). However, enforcement of compliance among households and private landowners is reportedly weak. Experts warn that the loss of tree cover, exacerbated by deforestation, charcoal production, and unsustainable farming practices, is accelerating land degradation and worsening climate change impacts in the district.
According to Global Forest Watch data, Nakasongola lost approximately 44,900 hectares of tree cover between 2002 and 2024, significantly impacting its capacity to absorb carbon. Reversing this trend, environmental experts stress, requires strengthened law enforcement, enhanced community awareness, and sustained investment in restoring indigenous forests. Failure to address these issues risks further ecological damage and threatens livelihoods dependent on healthy ecosystems.