The European Union (EU) has committed €48 million towards enhancing forestry management and conservation efforts in Uganda. The announcement was made by the EU Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Jan Sadek, during a high-level partnership meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala.
The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah, and attended by several government ministers, including Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Minister for Trade and Cooperatives Francis Mwebesa, Minister for Karamoja Affairs Peter Lokeris, and State Minister for Energy Okasai Opolot, among other technical officials.
Ambassador Sadek expressed appreciation for the strong political commitment and the enduring partnership between the EU and Uganda in the forestry sector.
“The EU has committed €40 million to this partnership, with an additional €8 million contributed by Denmark,” Sadek announced.
He emphasized the crucial role of forest preservation in mitigating global climate change and reaffirmed the EU’s dedication to supporting sustainable environmental practices.
Prime Minister Nabbanja echoed the importance of forest conservation, aligning her remarks with President Yoweri Museveni’s vision, which advocates for the export of value-added forest products rather than raw timber.
“This vision is not only vital for the long-term sustainability of our forests but also key to transforming Uganda’s economy,” she stated.
“The EU, through its ongoing support and collaborative efforts, has significantly contributed as a strategic partner in shaping the future of Uganda’s forestry sector. We are optimistic about the continuation of this productive partnership.”
She further expressed confidence that the enduring collaboration with the EU and other development partners will unlock the full potential of Uganda’s forest resources.
The Uganda-EU Forest Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was initially signed on November 8, 2022, during the UNFCCC CoP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. It was further strengthened by the signing of a Roadmap on June 29, 2023. These agreements demonstrate a shared commitment to improving forest governance and promoting the sustainable use and management of Uganda’s forest resources.
The €40 million EU grant under this partnership is instrumental in supporting a wide range of initiatives, including forest restoration, combating the trafficking of forest products, and developing both timber and non-timber value chains.