Buliisa residents advised to embrace planting of new tree species around homesteads

Buliisa: Residents of Buliisa District have been advised to embrace the planting of new tree species around their homesteads as a measure to address environmental degradation and reduce pressure on natural forests.

The advice was given by the Town Clerk of Wanseko Town Council, Mr. Samuel Magambo, while addressing environmental defenders at Kigwera Sub-county headquarters.

Magambo explained that planting as few as ten trees per homestead could significantly reduce household dependence on firewood collected from forests.

“If every household plants about ten trees, it can completely solve the problem of firewood at home,” Magambo said.

He noted that excessive firewood collection and charcoal burning have greatly contributed to environmental degradation in the area, alongside activities related to the oil and gas industry.

Magambo also urged residents to preserve indigenous tree species to support long-term environmental restoration.

He highlighted Neem trees as fast-growing and suitable for domestic use, explaining that households can periodically prune branches for cooking fuel without cutting down the entire tree.

“This will save women from moving long distances into bushes in search of firewood,” he added.

Magambo further recommended that sub-counties draft environmental by-laws and identify environmental change agents to monitor environmental issues and report them to relevant authorities for action.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dison Balikagira, a District Councillor representing elderly persons, echoed the call for increased tree planting to revive the degraded environment.

Balikagira decried the drying up of rivers in the district, attributing it to widespread deforestation that has led to the loss of water sources.

“Rivers such as Kamuhukule and Sambye, which used to flow into Lake Albert, no longer exist. Even River Waiga, the only remaining one, frequently dries up,” he said.

He noted that while oil and gas activities required limited tree clearing, replanting efforts have not adequately compensated for environmental loss.

Balikagira urged leaders to intensify community sensitisation on tree planting and to discourage farming activities along river banks and lake shores, which further degrade ecosystems.

Ms. Alice Kazimura supported the findings of recent research that indicate a shrinking civic space for environmental defenders in Buliisa District.

She highlighted challenges faced by environmental defenders, including arrests, intimidation, threats, oppression, and inadequate legal support.

According to Mr. Nassa Biira Kiwanuka, an independent social researcher, the study focused on climate justice and green activism, examining how indigenous communities hosting extractive projects are faring in Buliisa and Moroto districts.

Kiwanuka explained that indigenous communities often have limited voices, and land-based investments linked to extractives such as roads, water abstraction points, and Tilenga-related developments risk prioritising economic interests over social and cultural norms.

“This creates a risk of marginalisation of indigenous communities and limits civic space,” he said.

The research recommendations call for stronger collaboration among state actors, duty bearers, the media, environmental defenders, cultural institutions, and civil society organisations to promote coexistence, tolerance, and trust.

“Nature is critical to everyone whether in government or civil society so it must be protected collectively,” Kiwanuka concluded.

The Project Officer of Buliisa Initiative for Rural Development, Mr. Kenneth Tumwesige, described the meeting as an important knowledge-sharing platform that brings together duty bearers and environmental defenders to collectively address environmental challenges in the district.

Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.