environment 23 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Forests: Driving Economic Growth and Tackling Youth Unemployment
Uganda's forests offer vast economic potential through jobs, agroforestry, and indigenous species like the shea tree, amid ongoing deforestation challenges. Sustainable management could transform them into a key engine for prosperity and rural livelihoods. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/uganda-s-forests-powering-economies-sustaining-the-future-of-our-generation-5400048
The International Day of Forests on March 21 highlighted the theme ‘Forests and Economies,’ emphasizing their role beyond environmental protection as drivers of global and local growth. Forests underpin over half of the world’s GDP, valued at more than $44 trillion, by supporting water regulation, soil stability, ecotourism, energy, and timber production.
In Uganda, these resources are vital for rural communities, providing food, medicine, and income while addressing youth unemployment affecting nearly 49% of those aged 18-30. Opportunities abound in tree nurseries, plantation management, and value-added processing.
Despite losing about 122,000 hectares of natural forest yearly, government reforms since the early 2000s have boosted commercial plantations with over $400 million in private investment. FAO’s EU-funded project aids sustainable wood value chains, enhancing jobs and market competitiveness.
Agroforestry integrates trees into farms to boost soil health and yields, while indigenous shea trees—Uganda’s high-quality Nilotica variety—tap into a $2.6 billion global market. Sustainable woodlots and bio-energy like briquettes address energy needs and open export avenues.
Unchecked deforestation risks soil loss, floods, and climate vulnerability, but scaling investments in processing, agroforestry, and protections could secure lasting prosperity.
This commentary draws from a Daily Monitor article by FAO Uganda’s Forestry Programme lead, Leonidas Hitimana. Source