Uganda: Neglect of environmental sector threatens scorched earth

The document highlights a critical gap between the economic value derived from Uganda's natural resources and the minimal budgetary support allocated to their preservation. It notes that Uganda's forests are disappearing at twice the rate of sub-Saharan Africa, driven by high population growth and a heavy reliance on biomass for over 90% of energy needs. The author details a trend of 'degazetting' protected lands for industrial and agricultural use, citing conflicts in Namanve Forest Reserve, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, and the Mabira forest. The document warns that the discovery of oil in protected areas, including the Greater Virunga Transfrontier Park, further escalates the risk of conflict between the state and civil society.

• Uganda's natural resource base is depleting rapidly, with forest loss occurring at twice the rate of sub-Saharan Africa and nine times faster than the global average. This degradation is exacerbated by a population growth rate of 3.2% per year, which adds approximately 1 million people annually and doubles the population every 20 years, creating a risk of human-induced desertification.
• Deforestation in Uganda is driven by a lack of affordable alternative energy, as the country relies on biomass for more than 90% of its energy requirements, as well as land-use changes intended to boost manufacturing and production.
• The Ugandan government has a trend of 'degazetting' protected areas for commercial use, which has led to conflict. Examples include the 1997 degazettement of over 1000 hectares of Namanve Forest Reserve for an industrial estate, a failed 2002 attempt by Libyan investors to degazette a wetland in Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, and the 2007 Save Mabira Campaign against a proposed sugar plantation.
• The discovery of oil in Uganda has increased tensions, as approximately 70% of oil discoveries are located within protected areas. This includes proposed drilling in the Greater Virunga Transfrontier Park, which has faced opposition from local and international civil society organisations.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2011). Uganda: Neglect of environmental sector threatens scorched earth. https://saiia.org.za/research/uganda-neglect-of-environmental-sector-threatens-scorched-earth/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Uganda: Neglect of environmental sector threatens scorched earth. 2011. https://saiia.org.za/research/uganda-neglect-of-environmental-sector-threatens-scorched-earth/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Uganda: Neglect of environmental sector threatens scorched earth |date=6 February 2011 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/uganda-neglect-of-environmental-sector-threatens-scorched-earth/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2011uganda, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Uganda: Neglect of environmental sector threatens scorched earth}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2011}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/uganda-neglect-of-environmental-sector-threatens-scorched-earth/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }