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Forests and Biodiversity

Uganda hosts about 60% of the global population of the rare and endangered mountain gorilla.

© Susan Tumuhairwe

Forestry and Tourism are important contributors to Uganda's economy with a 6% and 9% contribution to GDP respectively. Uganda's touristic products are largely nature based and centered on distinct geographical areas especially the Albertine rift region. While the vast majority of Uganda's biodiversity is found in natural forests, Uganda's forest cover has drastically declined from 4.9M ha in early 1990s to 1.8 M ha in 2015.

Why does it matter?

Forests and Wildlife play a significant role in national development through their contribution to the ecological balance, energy and industrial activities.

Forests are also home to the great apes which are the greatest tourism attraction in the country. Mountain Gorilla tracking and Chimpanzee viewing top the list with Gorilla tourism reported to contribute more than 50% of tourism revenue in Uganda.
Other important Wildlife resources of Tourism value inculude the Big Cats (Lions, Leopards and cheetahs); Elephants; Hippopotamus; Pangolin among others marjority of which are in National Parks, Wildlife reserves and Forest reserves.

However, Forest and Biodiversty loss caused by encroachment for agriculture, illegal logging, charcoal production, illegal  wildlife trade, retaliatory  killings of wildlife, poaching, Oil&gas exploration and climate change account for the  decline of important  wildlife resources.
 
Did you know?

Chimpanzees share 98% of human genes, care for their young, can walk on two limbs and use tools to trap insects and crack hard nuts?

© Susan Tumuhairwe
What is WWF doing?

Through the Forest and Biodiversity  program, WWF-Uganda is working with partners (Government Ministries, Agencies, Local Governments, Private Sector and communities) to  conserve the integrity of Uganda's  protected areas and habitats on private land.  This is being done with a balanced mix of forest and wildlife policy, expansion of forest estate, good governance and community livelihoods interventions. 
Featured project

The overall objective of the project is that by 2025, rural livelihoods are improved and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced through widespread access to clean and renewable sources of energy in Uganda.

Earth Hour Ambassadors Hailed for Academic Excellence

It is graduation season at Makerere University and World Wide Fund for Nature- Uganda Country Office (WWF-UCO) would like to congratulate all students that have successfully completed their studies but more so to the Earth Hour ambassadors, the young and zealous individuals  who have committed to working towards conserving nature.

Recent Report

This is an abridged version of the Hydrological and Agronomic study report that was conducted in order to inform the design and monitoring of the PWS on the Nyamwamba and Mubuku watersheds of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
What can you do?

Support WWF’s conservation work and stay up to date on exciting conservation news and special behind-the-scenes stories.
 
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Always inspect any natural crafts or ornaments you buy to check what they are made from.

© Happy Ali