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NEMA plans nationwide tree planting campaign to restore Uganda’s forest cover
26 July 2026, 6:48 pm
Environmental Management Authority (NEMA),
speaking during a press briefing in Kampala.
By Ronald Ssemagonja
The Government of Uganda, through the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), is planning a nationwide tree-planting campaign to restore the country’s declining forest cover and promote environmental conservation.
Speaking to journalists in Kampala last week, NEMA Executive Director Barirega Akankwasah said tree planting is essential because of the vital role forests play in protecting the environment and supporting livelihoods.
He said the authority is committed to restoring trees that have been illegally cut down and ensuring Ugandans live in a clean and healthy environment.
Barirega also emphasized that sustaining the National Cleaning Days initiative will encourage citizens to maintain cleanliness, protect forests, and prevent environmental degradation.
“We as NEMA want everyone to live in a clean environment because it is through a healthy environment that people can work productively in different sectors and enable government to earn revenue. We are planning to plant more trees. We also want to see drainage channels free from garbage because blocked drainage causes flooding. If government sustains these National Cleaning Days, it will greatly support environmental conservation, and we shall continue to support this initiative.”
According to NEMA, Uganda’s forest cover has significantly declined over the past three decades. In 1990, forests covered about 24 percent of the country’s total land area, equivalent to between 4.55 and 4.9 million hectares. Today, forest cover stands at approximately 12.7 to 13.4 percent, or about 2.37 million hectares.
While natural forests have reduced by nearly half since 1990, planted commercial forests, including pine and eucalyptus plantations, have increased to more than 514,000 hectares. The National Forestry Authority currently manages 506 Central Forest Reserves covering more than 1.26 million hectares as part of Uganda’s permanent forest estate.