UBF collaborates with Buganda Kingdom to address Biodiversity challenges

Uganda Biodiversity Trust Fund (UBF), in collaboration with the Government and the Buganda Kingdom, has officially launched the E’kibira Kya Kabaka Initiative, known as EKKKI, or the Royal Forest Initiative.

The project was inaugurated during a symposium held at Bulange Mengo on Friday, October 6, 2023, with the theme, “The Role of Culture in Accelerating Community-Driven Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods.”

Ivan Amanigaruhanga, the Executive Director of UBF, noted that the launch of the Royal Forest Initiative marks the beginning of a platform for strategic interagency partnerships and collaboration on biodiversity conservation in Buganda Kingdom. He further announced that following today’s launch, they are organizing a fundraising dinner to secure the necessary funds for the project, with a target of Shillings 10 billion to support its nationwide implementation.

Amanigaruhanga also revealed plans to extend the initiative to other kingdoms, including Busoga, Tooro, Bunyoro, Acholi, and Bamasaba, among others. The Shs10 billion funding is expected to sustain the project for five years, including the planting of 50,000 hectares of forest cover.

In February 2023, UBF and Buganda Kingdom signed a 5-year memorandum of understanding, solidifying their commitment to mobilizing resources for biodiversity conservation. This partnership is particularly crucial at a time when Uganda has experienced significant deforestation. Amanigaruhanga noted that Buganda Kingdom’s forest cover has significantly declined due to biodiversity degradation and diminishing ecological resourcefulness.

“A substantial number of valuable tree species are increasingly becoming endangered or facing extinction,” Amanigaruhanga warned.

Uganda has been losing an average of over 80,000 hectares of forests annually. Data from Global Forest Watch reveals that from 2001 to 2021, Luwero was the district with the highest tree loss at 90,600 hectares, far exceeding the national average of 16,700 hectares. Other Buganda districts with alarming tree loss include Mubende (79,500 hectares) and Mukono (56,000 hectares).

Amanigaruhanga called for support for EKKKI to restore these degraded forest landscapes and contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change and other environmental benefits.

During the launch event, the Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, explained the project’s purpose to assert that the Kingdom has a responsible steward who will safeguard its future. He called upon all Kabaka’s subjects to plant trees around their homes and plots of land, urging consultation regarding tree species to avoid planting dangerous ones.

Mayiga attributed Buganda’s loss of forest cover to its central role in the country’s development, leading to issues like industrial developments in wetlands, which negatively affect biodiversity.

He also noted that the Buganda Lukiko had passed a resolution to plant a tree at every cultural event, funeral rites ceremony, and celebration, estimating that this resolution results in the planting of at least a thousand trees weekly in Buganda.

“The Buganda Lukiko passed a resolution of planting a tree at every Kwanjula function, every last funeral rites ceremony and at all sorts of celebrations. It is estimated that because of this resolution, we plant at least a thousand trees every week in Buganda. Small, but significant” said the Katikkiro.

Mayiga called upon Kabaka’s subjects to resist those encroaching on wetlands, questioning the rationale behind obtaining licenses to build factories in swampy areas. He urged people to consider genuine and suitable locations for industrial developments.

“The question is, why do you want to get license to build a factory in a swamp? If you are really a genuine investor, why not find genuine and where you can put your factory? Is your factory dependent on rivers? I believe NEMA has a good reason why it is issuing these licenses, but look how we are bleeding,” he added.

He therefore requested people who are building homes, schools and houses of worship in wetlands to stop this behavior. He wondered if God is pleased with people degrading the wetlands.

“We hope to amplify the campaign of Ekibira Kya Kabaka and preserve the environment so that we protect this beautiful country. We need to build partners like UBF, the central government and others, but above all, to interest the young generation in the need to protect the environment because the country belongs to them more than it belongs to us.

He emphasized the importance of involving the younger generation in environmental protection, as the future of the country belongs to them.

Nicholas Magara, a representative from the Ministry of Water and Environment, acknowledged the challenges faced by Buganda Kingdom, which is densely populated and heavily industrialized. He commended UBF for partnering with the Kingdom to find solutions for these issues.

Magara explained that the initiative’s goal is to mobilize resources for planting and growing trees in degraded areas across the 18 counties in Buganda Kingdom.

“This will additionally involve safe disposal and recycling of plastic waste and education of Kabaka subjects on ecosystem restoration and conservation. How I pray and call all concerned stakeholders to replicate this in other Kingdoms,” he noted.

Additionally, the initiative aims to address plastic waste disposal, educate Kabaka subjects on ecosystem restoration and conservation, and encourage stakeholders to replicate these efforts in other kingdoms.

He noted that the government of Uganda fully supports the initiative, and all county chiefs have designated land for tree planting under this project.

A fundraiser is scheduled for November 10, 2023, with different categories of participation, including Individual Cards (Shs200,000 for bronze, Shs300,000 for silver, and Shs500,000 for gold), and organizations can purchase tables at Shs1.5 million. VIP cards for tables are also available, with bronze for 5 persons (Shs2.5 million), silver for 10 people (Shs5 million), and platinum with no upper limit (Shs30 million and above).

Tree planting activities in Buganda commenced last month in Buikwe district’s Ssazza County, where Kabaka subjects planted trees in designated areas and took some to their homes. Dan Kitazze, the Kyagwe Ssaza chief, expressed optimism that the program would benefit the entire Kingdom.