KAMPALA. Buganda Kingdom targets to plant at least 2.8 million indigenous trees by 2028, a drive aimed at replacing forest covers and restoring sites that had been degraded by humans for economic purposes.
Mr Yotham Ntege, the Bulemezi County Chief in charge of Lands and Infrastructure, told this publication that the drive targets 10 acres of land in each of the 18 counties across the Kingdom.
“Buganda Kingdom targets at least 10 acres of indigenous forest trees planted on land at each of the 18 Counties that constitute Buganda. We have the land, but the challenge has been the failure by our people to appreciate nature.’’
He explained that trees that had been cut down earlier were never replaced, noting that forest areas got destroyed through tree cutting, among other human activities.
‘’Buganda Kingdom targets at least 2.8 million trees planted by the year 2028 across the 18 counties through restoration of the degraded forest sites.’’ He disclosed.
Mr Derik Kavuma, a conservationist in the tree planting campaign at Bowa Hill in Makulubita Sub-county, revealed that the massively degraded tree species include Albizia (Mugavu) and Mvule (Milicia excelsa) trees, which are often targeted for hardwood timber and wood fuel (charcoal).
Part of the restoration initiative is for agro-tourism for the sustainability purposes of the forest.
Mr Herbert Kasujja, the Luweero Forestry Officer, says they have already rolled out a tree planting program with the distribution of free tree seedlings targeting the native tree species.