Lives of millions of Ugandans are at risk if the current rate of destruction of forests is not checked, a minister has warned.
Ronald Kibuule, the state minister for water, lamented on Tuesday that people living adjacent to forests were involved in indiscriminate cutting of trees. Kibuule spoke during events to mark World Forestry day, World Water day and World Metrology day, at Serere Township primary school in Serere district.
Reports show that from 1990 to 2010, Uganda's forest cover reduced by approximately 1.3 million hectares. This means that in less than 20 years, Uganda lost about 25 per cent of its forest cover.
Kibuule warned that if human activity and indiscriminate cutting of trees are not checked, Uganda stands to lose its forests in a few decades. This would have grave consequences on the country's economic growth and development.
He called upon leaders at all levels to educate the communities about the importance of forests to their lives, and the benefits of conserving the environment and utilizing it sustainably so that the next generation also benefit from it.
In support of Kibuule, the Serere district chairperson Joseph Okojo Opit, revealed that Serere used to have the largest forest reserves in Teso sub-region, but over 9.2 per cent has been cut for charcoal, firewood and timber.
These include Bugondo, Pingire and Kateta forests. He pledged to mobilize the district heads of departments and communities to champion tree planting at household level in a bid to improve tree coverage in the area.
Opit regretted the loss of such large forests that used to shelter different animals as well as tree species that were instrumental in rain formation.
And as the district water officer Joseph Okolimo noted, water has become a problem, especially in districts like Ngora. Okolimo said that because of inadequate water sources, people are sharing them with animals. He called upon sub-county and parish chiefs to monitor the water sources in their respective areas.
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