Uganda has one of the highest rates of forest loss in the world. Between 2001 and 2020, the country lost 918,000 hectares of tree cover, a 12% decrease. Based on current trends, it risks losing its entire forest cover by 2014.
Of particular importance is the preservation of the Mount Elgon National Park which covers 1,110 km2 and borders Mbale. It is home to fauna and flora and is an Important Bird Area (IBA). Some of the most common trees found here include elgon teak and massive podocarpus trees. The forest is also home to over 200 bird species and animals like blue colobus monkeys and buffalos. It is a haven to thousands of plant species, many of which are endemic to the region. In addition to being a key biodiversity hotspot, Mount Elgon is also critical source of water for millions of people. The streams that flow from the mountain feed into major rivers and lakes that provide water for drinking, irrigation and hydroelectric power.
Nevertheless, due to high levels of poverty and increase in demand for agricultural land, the park is facing deforestation pressures and many tree species are threatened.
There’s no doubt that the future of Mount Elgon’s forest ecosystem is at risk. And there is an urgent need for a holistic approach to restore degraded areas. One way to do this is through community-led restoration.
Since 2022, METGE has signed an agreement with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to plant indigenous trees in the Mount Elgon National park and work with the communities.
Thanks to funding from Admiral, Ernst Kleinwort Charitable Trust (EKCT) and International Tree Foundation (ITF), METGE set up a community run nursery next to the national park to produce Indigenous tree seedlings. To date, seven community groups have planted 122,317 indigenous trees have been planted covering an area of 108 hectares of the National Park with the aim of restoring the park.
Project activities
METGE set up a community run nursery next to the national park to produce Indigenous tree seedlings. To date, seven community groups have planted 122,317 indigenous trees have been planted covering an area of 108 hectares of the National Park with the aim of restoring the park.
Community run tree nursery
The project not only has support tree growing in the park but the community have also been supported to improve their livelihoods so that they no longer have to enter the park to get firewood or timber to make a living. METGE have set up village saving and loans associations to enable people to save, supported beekeeping groups with beehives and equipment and training to improve honey production.
To reduce pressure on the park, community members have received seedlings from the project to grow on their land, and have received vegetable seeds to support their families.
Tree sapling planted in the national park
Plans for the future
METGE plan to continue to work with the community to plant more trees in the park as 500 hectares have been mapped out for restoration with the support of Admiral and SportPursuit.
Tonny Hawuk – METGE
Last year in December, the community had cut vegetation within the park and there was nothing growing that was higher than 2m. Vegetation has now grown to 7m because there is less cutting and encroachment of livestock. Before there were lots of sheep and goats that entered the park for grazing. Now they don’t graze in the park.
The community have developed love for their forest as they’ve planted the trees. The relationship between Uganda Wildlife Authority and the community was poor. Now it is better. METGE’s approach is very different. We are more connected to the community and are empowering the community to raise seedlings.
So far, we have planted seedlings on 108 hectares.
We have also been supporting the community on sustainable land management practices. We have helped them make trenches because of the problems of soil erosion with water. Up here it rains heavily and trenches can capture the water and conserve it and it sinks into the soil.
We are also working with children as they are our future. We are training them to care for the park and pupils from the surrounding schools have come to the nursery to help with the potting of seedlings.
Richard Sirikye – Chair of Ganzo Youth
Richard next to the trench he has built and grown vegetables
After making the trenches, I planted grass to reduce run off and also used as fodder. The trenches helps the soil not be washed away and traps the water. There was a lot of water last week with the rains. Before the rain would have taken away a lot of soil. But now the soil is regaining and doing well.
Now I grow Kale too thanks to seeds from METGE. Before I didn’t grow anything. Now I have vegetables for my family, so I don’t need to go to the market. Also, the flowers that are blossoming also attract bees which is good for my beehives.
Now I don’t have to go to the National Park to get firewood to sell to get vegetables. I have my own. Before our life was miserable and now we have adapted the soil and I can grow vegetables for my family. Before the children weren’t going to school. I now have money from the savings and loans groups to help pay for school fees. I am able to repay the loans by selling vegetables, coffee and matoke.
I have also helped plant trees in the National Park. My group (Ganzo Youth) which is made up of 34 members, planted 17,020 trees. Also, each group member planted trees on their own land. The National Park has now changed and we are committed to looking after the trees.
Constance Kayaga – Gibuzale Women Boundary and Beekeepers and Dairy Association
Constance (left) and Beatrice
I started a community group for women and beekeepers and dairy. At a later stage, we joined METGE. We thank METGE for teaching and changing us. Before we didn’t know how to pot a tree. Now I can also grow passion fruit. I’ve sold 10,000 passion fruits. Before we were waiting for help. Now I’ve learnt how to do something for myself.
With METGE we’ve planted trees at home and at the National Park. I’ve also built trenches as rains were taking a lot of soil away. I’ve also constructed a lorena stove, which uses less firewood.
Lorena stove
