Ugandan parliament addresses threats to Zoka Forest

Last August, the call from our Ugandan partner organisation Friends of Zoka to protect Zoka Central Forest Reserve was recognized by the Ugandan parliament. After viewing a broadcast of Friends of Zoka’s documentary on Zoka Forest, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament took an interest in the issue. This lead to a fruitful meeting last month, with outcomes that could finally lead to accountability for the continued exploitation of the forest.

Header photo: The Friends of Zoka team and the Deputy Speaker of the Ugandan parliament (c) William Amanzuru / Friends of Zoka

William Amanzuru, Team Leader of Friends of Zoka and his team have been fighting for many years for the protection of Zoka Central Forest Reserve against massive forest destruction for charcoal burning.

Parliamentary engagement on Zoka Central Forest Reserve

The recognition for the challenges in Zoka Central Forest Reserve led to an invitation from the Parliament in January. Amanzuru and the Friends of Zoka team had a productive meeting with the Deputy Speaker and the investigative team from the African Institute for Investigative Journalism. After the meeting, the team briefly attended the Parliamentary session and were acknowledged by the Deputy Speaker.

During the meeting, several key actions were agreed upon: an investigation into the destruction of Zoka Central Forest Reserve will be initiated; the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Natural Resources is scheduled to visit Adjumani district (Zoka Central Forest Reserve) for further fact-finding; the Committee will meet with the Friends of ZOKA team in Adjumani; and the Committee will also engage with the local communities living around the forest to for firsthand account of the challenges of Zoka Central Forest, after the visit the committee will report back to Parliament.

‘We anticipate that this will provide thorough and necessary oversight, ensuring accountability for the prolonged exploitation of Zoka Central Forest Reserve.’

• William Amanzura, Team Leader of Friends of Zoka

Opportunity to ensure accountability

‘At Friends of Zoka, we look forward to this visit as an opportunity to scale up our advocacy and chart lasting solutions to address the challenges facing Zoka Central Forest Reserve’, says Amanzuru. The Parliamentary committee visit complements Executive Order No. 3, signed by President Museveni in May 2023, which banned logging for commercial charcoal production in the region. ‘We anticipate that this will provide thorough and necessary oversight, ensuring accountability for the prolonged exploitation of Zoka Central Forest Reserve’, Amanzuru adds.

Deforestation in Uganda

The deforestation rate in Uganda is very high. Forests are cut down for agriculture, urbanisation and logging for charcoal and other business. If things continue this way, the country’s National Environment Management Authority expects Uganda to have lost all its forests in less than 25 years. Studies have shown that almost all of the forests outside of protected areas have been cleared. This is very concerning as these forests are the habitat of many different species and they are of great importance to the people living in the area.

Forests for a Just Future

As part of our project Forests for a Just Future, we are supporting Friends of Zoka and other nature organisations in Uganda to protect the country’s forests. Forests for a Just Future works in 11 countries in South America, Africa and Asia. We contribute to more sustainable and inclusive governance of tropical rainforests, in a way that promotes climate mitigation, human rights and preserves the livelihoods of local communities.