List of Uganda Forests

Rwenzori Mountain Forest Reserve

Mount Elgon Forest Reserve in Uganda

Kasyoha Kitomi Forest Reserve in Uganda

Bugoma Forest Reserve in Uganda

Kalinzu Forest Reserve in Uganda

Echuya Forest Reserve in Uganda

Budongo Forest Reserve in Uganda

Mpanga Forest Reserve in Uganda

Kibale Forest Reserve in Uganda

Impenetrable Forest Reserve Bwindi N.P. in Uganda

Mabira Forest Reserve in Uganda

Sango Bay Forest Reserve in Uganda

Maramagambo Forest Reserve in Uganda

Semliki Forest Reserve in Uganda

_________________________________________________

The distribution of forests in Uganda varies greatly by region; the northern region dominated by woodland, while the majority of the tropical high forest is in the western region and some pats of central region. The plantation resource is currently very small (0.2%) but also very productive (16 tones/ha/year) with great potential for expansion in area and yields. The annual consumption of wood in Uganda is estimated to be around 25 million tones or approximately 1.1 tones per capita. About 95% of this is consumed as fuel wood

UGANDA FORESTS KEY SECTOR STRENGTHS

The country has excellent growing conditions that support commercial tree growing. With good management and the adoption of intensive farming practices, growth rates can match the best in the world and timber plantations can offer a solid return on investment.

2. Biodiversity:

Uganda is rich in biodiversity among the East African countries and globally is regarded as one of the important centers of biodiversity. It has a diversity of ecological communities because of the overlapping between the dry East African savanna and those of West African rain forests. This means that a wide range of forest products can be developed at a lower cost and environmental risks.

3. Land:

Most of the land in the country is suitable for tree plantations and has better soils than in many countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.

4. Water:

Uganda is a well-watered country richly endowed with renewable natural resources and water shortage is not a major constraint especially areas of the country suitable for tree plantations.

5. Climate:

With a temperature range of 15 -30oC, and a rainfall range of 750 - 2000 mm, Uganda is best suited for forest production in the East African region.

6. Yields (m³/ha/yr):

Ugandan plantations can match (or even exceed) some of the best growth rates in the world: Uganda (20-35 for saw logs); Australia (15 for saw logs); South Africa (15 for saw logs), and Tanzania (14 for saw logs).

7. Returns:

Timber plantations offer attractive rates of return on one’s investment – in the order of 15-18% (more with well grown Eucalypts). This compares very favorably with many other countries e.g. Germany (0.5-1%); UK (3-5%); Brazil, Chile, Spain, Turkey (10-12%); and New Zealand and Australia (8 to 8.5%).

8. Cost of establishing forest Plantations in Uganda: It is estimated on average to cost around Ushs1.2M per hectare (US$700) to establish a plantation. This cost covers all expected costs up to canopy closure around 3 years with Pinus caribaea, 1-2 years with E. grandis.

Uganda Forest sector specific incentives for Forest investors

• Availability /security of land and trees e.g. license validity of 25 years for small scale private tree farming and 50 years for large scale commercial private tree farming.

• The Saw Log Production Grant Scheme (SPGS) provides a direct subsidy grant for private timber growers planting from 25 ha to 500 ha. The maximum amount paid is UGX 600,000 (US$360) per ha, which has been estimated as 50% of the total costs of establishing a plantation. SPGS is running until end of 2008.

• Negotiated license fee rates e.g. eco-tourism.

• Forest tree fund to support tree growing (to be operationalized)

• Open Competitive bidding for licenses

• Partnerships agreements and collaborative forest management arrangement including Memoranda of Understanding

• Joint management ventures with the National Forestry Authority

Uganda Forests Investment Opportunities

The projected future increase in demand for timber, coupled with a likely shortage of supply of saw logs from plantations and natural forests, make forest production a promising enterprise.

Trees plant can be planted for the following purposes:

(a) Planting of soft wood plantations for timber and poles

(b) Planting of soft wood plantation for pulp

(c) Value added products from both hard and soft wood

(d) Tourism and recreation

(e) Planting palm trees and processing of palm oil

(f) Planting trees for medicinal purposes

LIST OF UGANDA FORESTS RESERVES

Mabira Forest located in Mukono District , Central Uganda, covering 306 sq km. Mabira Forest is 54km from Kampala and 20km from Jinja and trails the main road from Jinja to Kampala. Mabira Forest has been a protected forest reserve since 1932 and is home of many endangered species including the Uganda Mangabey (Lophocebus Ugandae), a species of Old World Monkey, found only in Uganda.

Budongo forest:

Budongo Forest is located in Masindi district Mid Western Uganda. Budongo Forest is approximately 3-4 hours drive on the way to Murchison falls National Park, Uganda. Budongo Forest covers an area of 793 sq km. It is the biggest forest reserve with older mahogany and iron forest trees. Budongo is the largest Mahogany forest in East Africa with trees growing up to 80 meters.

The forest hosts 600-800 Chimpanzees and many other rare species of birds, including the Lemon Bellied Crombec, white-thighed hornbill and puvel’s illadopsis and Chocolate-backed Kingfisher. Kaniyo Pabidi and Busingiro Ecotourism sites are the major tourist sites within Budongo Forest Reserve.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located in Kabale/Kanungu Districts ,South West of Uganda, covering an area of 321 sq km. It is 530 km from Kampala. Bwindi Forest consists of a large primeval forest in East Africa, with altitudes spanning from 1,160 to 2,607 meters. The forest is at the edge of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley. Bwindi Forest was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation as a World Heritage Site for being the home of half the world’s population of endangered Mountain Gorillas as well as being one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, located Southwestern Uganda, covering an area of 331 sq Km of jungle forerst. It consists of 120 species of mammals, 346 bird species, 202 butterfly species, 163 tree species, 100 fern species, 27 frog species, as well as other many endangered species including chameleon, gecko to mention a few.

Mpanga Forest Reserve

Mpanga Forest Reserve is located in Mpigi District Central of Uganda, 37 Kms west from Kampala along the Masaka Rd. It is a beautiful forest which has been conserved as a scientific research site since 1953. It has trails form where visitors can view the abundant bird life, butterflies, monkeys and so many other attractions. There is a drum making industry at Mpambire village near Mpanga forest. It is a home of the Royal drum makers. The trees for making these drums are got from Mpanga Forest reserve.

Kibaale Forest

Kibaale Forest is located in Kabarole, Western Uganda covering 560 sq km. With abundant tropical forest and interesting diversity of animals, Kibale National Park (KNP) , is one of the most beautiful and stunning forests in Uganda. It is home to the largest number of our closet living relatives, the Endangered Chimpanzee as well as the threatened red colobus monkey and the rare L’Hoest monkey (ref. CITES).

The forest has one of the highest diversity and density of primates in Africa totaling 13 species including the black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkey and grey-checked manangabey, red tailed monkey, bush babies and pottos. The park also hosts over 325 species of birds including the yellow spotted nicator, yellow rumped tinkerbird, little greenbul, breasted pitta, the African pitta and the black bee eater.

There are number of impressive mammals including forest Elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, duikers and bats. A keen observer may also see a number of reptiles and amphibians as well as colorful variety of butterflies.Furthermore, over 250 tree species have been recorded. The most famous inhabitants of Kibaale National Park are the Chimpanzees with over 1,450 individuals protected within the park.

Echuya Uganda Forest Reserve

The Echuya Forest Reserve is located in Kabale and Kisoro Districts , Southwest Uganda and managed by the community. Echuya Forest covers an area of 40 sq km and is ranked among the top 10% of 65 sites visited worldwide by Forest Biodiversity Inventory Team of conservation value of over 100 bird spices represented.

Kalinzu -Maramagambo Forest

Kalinzu-Maramagambo forest is located in Bushenyi/Rukungiri Districts , South West of Uganda. Maramagambo Forest is one of the largest forests in Uganda, covering an area of 580 sq km, on the floor of the Rift, in the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Bugoma Uganda Forest Reserve,

Located in Hoima District , Mid Western Uganda, covering 365 sq km.

Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve,

Located in Bushenyi and Mbarara Districts Western Uganda, covering 399 sq km. Sango Bay Forest Reserve, Located in Rakai District, South Western Uganda, covering 151 sq km.

Mt Elgon Uganda Forest Reserve,

Located in Kapchorwa and Mbale Districts Eastern Uganda, covering 1,145 sq km.

Rwenzori Uganda Forest Reserve

Located in Kasese, Kabarole and Bundibugyo Districts Western Uganda, covering 996 sq km.

Semiliki Uganda Forest Reserve,

Located in Bundibugyo District, Western Uganda, covering 212 sq km.