By Edward Byamukama
In a major step towards promoting sustainable forest conservation, WWF Uganda and Kitara Civil Society Organizations’ Network -KCSON, in collaboration with the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and with funding from the World Bank, officially launched the signing of 19 Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) agreements under the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development project.
The event was held at the Kyenjojo District Council Hall and brought together stakeholders from various districts across the Albertine landscape, including West Nile, Bunyoro, Tooro, Greater Ankole (Mitooma, Bushenyi, Rubirizi), and the South-Western region (Rukungiri and Kanungu).
WWF Project Manager Philip Kihumuro explained that the groups were formed in line with national forest management guidelines.
He noted that the CFM agreements focus on co-managing Central Forest Reserves, including Kagombe Forest Reserve and others like Kyaterekera, Paro Kyamugenyi, Kitega, Kanyegaramire, and Kyarwehuta in Ibambaro.
Stuart Maniraguha, Executive Director of the NFA, applauded WWF and KCSON for spearheading efforts to promote climate-smart environmental practices and successfully mobilizing CFM groups that meet national expectations.
Maniraguha urged the groups to remain committed to protecting the environment and to collaborate with district leaders in Kagadi and Kyenjojo.
Kyenjojo Resident District Commissioner, Ayesiga Julian Sarah, commended WWF and KCSON for their role in reducing conflicts between humans and nature through collaborative forest management.
Ndibwami B. Yosia, the Kagadi district chairperson called on leaders from Kyenjojo and Kagadi to champion the objectives of environmental conservation.
