| Abstract | The environment and natural resource base is instrumental for the livelihoods for more than 90% of Uganda’s population. It plays a significant
role in terms of its contribution to economic growth and foreign exchange earnings. However, the extremely high population growth in Uganda,
coupled with economic development, have combined to place a heavy burden on the environment and natural resource base, including water resources. The increased population and growth in the service sector is putting even more demands on the rapidly declining forest and tree cover in Uganda. As about 91% of Uganda’s energy depends on woody biomass. Therefore the pressure on forests and woodland will continue for the foreseeable future. At the present rate of deforestation, it is predicted that Uganda is likely to be importing fuel wood by 2020. The trends with respect to timber production on private land are cause for concern. Mature, private timber plantations will be exhausted within 3-5 years. Plantations which are expected to reach maturity within 20 years are grossly inadequate to meet the demand. Although Uganda is able to sustainably harvest 53,000m3 of timber from its central forest reserves, the present demand is almost 15 times as high. Wetlands and aquatic resources provide the country with much needed services for water treatment, water supply and other products. However, wetlands continue to be encroached upon and are being destroyed at an alarming rate. [authors abstract] |
