environment 1 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kayunga Officials Warn of Desertification Amidst Sugarcane Expansion
Authorities in Kayunga District are sounding the alarm over extensive deforestation and wetland destruction for sugarcane cultivation, fearing the region could face desertification if current trends continue. Over 3,600 hectares of forest reserves have already been lost. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kayunga-authorities-raise-alarm-over-forest-wetland-loss-to-sugarcane-5579134
Kayunga District officials have expressed grave concern over the unchecked expansion of sugarcane plantations, which are leading to the significant loss of vital forest reserves and wetlands. Deputy Resident District Commissioner John Lukooki warned that this environmental degradation could transform parts of the district into a desert, impacting future generations.
The situation is particularly dire in Bbaale County, where officials report that since the early 2000s, vast areas of tree cover and wetlands have been cleared to make way for sugarcane farming. Major sugar companies like GM Sugar, Kakira Sugar Works, and SCOUL, along with numerous smallholder farmers, are involved in this practice.
According to Moses Muhumuza, head of legal and corporate affairs at the National Forestry Authority (NFA), an estimated 3,640 hectares of the 7,470 hectares of central forest reserves in Bbaale County have been destroyed. This figure does not account for tree cover loss on private land. Affected areas include the Bajjo and Kiwula forest reserves, as well as sections of the Ssezibwa wetland.
During a recent stakeholders’ meeting, district authorities and sugar companies discussed strategies to balance production with environmental protection. A key resolution was the promotion of agroforestry to restore lost tree cover. The District Forestry Officer, Umar Mukasa, urged companies to plant trees along plantation roads and establish woodlots.
While acknowledging the economic benefits sugarcane growing has brought to many residents, Mr. Lukooki stressed that cultivation in wetlands and within the 200-meter buffer zone is illegal. He announced the formation of a district task force to monitor compliance and prevent further encroachment on natural resources. The district is committed to balancing economic development with the crucial need for environmental conservation.