Background

A degraded section of Nakindiba Central Forest Reserve

Nature Uganda took a keen interest in the restoration and protection of Nakindiba Central Forest Reserve following a tree planting event organized at Nakindiba Central Forest Reserve in 2021 as part of the National Celebrations for the International Day of Biodiversity in Uganda. During this event organized under the theme “Restoring nature together” NatureUganda together with other lead conservation agencies in Uganda including the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the National Forestry Authority (NFA) planted 1,000 tree seedlings to restore part of the degraded sections of the Forest. Recognizing that a one-day planting event alone would not be enough to restore Nakindiba Forest that at the time had less that half its Forest Cover, Nature Uganda therefore decided to partner with NFA to complete the restoration of Nakindiba Central Forest Reserve.

Nakindiba Central Forest Reserve is a 142 Ha urban Forest, located in Kakiri Town Council along the Kampala – Hoima Highway. Nakindiba was gazetted as a Central Forest Reserve in 1932 to protect a wetland that formed the major water source for the surrounding communities. The name “Nakindiba” means a place where animal skins “Amaliba” were cleaned, this is because the local communities used the wetland that transects the forest as a water source for processing animal skin.

The Challenge

By the start of Nature Uganda’s restoration interventions, nearly 50 % of the Forest had been cut down. Although Nakindiba Central Forest Reserve has immense cultural and conservation value, a large section of the Forest has been degraded due to illegal harvesting of trees and immense pressure from expanding urban area.

The Goal

 The goal of restoration activities at Nakindiba Central Forest Reserve are to ensure that this 142 Ha forest is conserved and; is supporting community livelihoods and contributing to Climate Change Mitigation through Carbon Sequestration.

Objectives

• Restore degraded sections of the forest through active planting.
• Demarcate the entire Forest using pillars to avoid encroachment this will ensure that all 140 Ha of the forest are protected, and forest allowed to regenerate.
• Establish woodlots outside the forest in community owned land to reduce dependence of the surrounding community on the forest for biofuel.
• Strengthening existing Collaborative Forest Management groups around the area to facilitate increased community participation in the management and conservation of the forest.

Intended Outcome

• A healthy and well conserved Nakindiba Central Forest Reserve contributing to Climate Change mitigation and providing ecosystem services and livelihood support to the surrounding community and Nation at large.