The Forestry Sector in Uganda

1. Forestry Sector Support Department The Forestry Sector inUganda Rachel Musoke Commissioner Forestry Sector Support Department "Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan" Bujumbura (Burundi), from November 22-24, 2010

2. Content Outline • Forest in the national economy • Forest policy and the main issues • Wood national consumption • Imported/exported wood • National Control system • Regularization possibilities • Conclusions Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

3. Forest in national economy • GDP - 6% Forest Policy 2001 • Total economic value (marketable and non-marketable values) of Uganda's forests estimated at UGX 593.24 billion (c. USD 300 million ) – 5.2% of GDP Gln ‘2004 • 34,4 million tonnes of roundwood used in construction in 2007, worth UGX 258.4 billion (c. USD 13 million) • 95% of Uganda’s energy needs are met from woody biomass Rural households consume about 97 % of the household energy requirements • About 1 million people employed in forest sector • Annual contribution to household cash income estimated at 11-27% (UGX 332 bn) • Contribution to ecosystem services (soil and water management, carbon sequestration, and future uses for Uganda's biodiversity) estimated at UGX 222 billion (c. USD 11 million) Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

4. Forest Policy & Main Issues • Reflect Govt commitment to sustainable forest management • Recognises the value of forests to progressive and sustainable national development • C-Government & Local Governments to hold forests in trust for the people and protect them for the common good of all citizens - PAs • Encourage public participation in the management and conservation of forests and trees, CFM, Mgt Pln, Conslt • Promote the decentralisation and devolution of functions, powers and services within the forestry sector. • Recognise the multi-stakeholder nature of forestry and clearly define the roles and responsibilities of central and local government agencies, donor agencies, the private sector, NGOs, CBOs, and local communities Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

5. Trends in forest cover (1990 – 2005) Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

6. Factors in Decline of forests • Forest clearance – for agriculture, settlements, grazing, etc • Over-harvesting – weak institutional capacities, in search of wealthy, etc • Encroachment – weak institutional capacities, in search of wealthy, etc • Urbanisation and industrial growth Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

7. Wood National Consumption Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

8. Attempts to Control Illegalities(Imported/Exported Wood) • Law Enforcement - “Forest Guards” • Targeted the root-causes • Weakened by poor remuneration & other institutional weaknesses • Ban on unsustainable forest produce harvesting & export of raw timber - difficult to enforce • Forest Produce pricing by S.I. 2000 • Did not take care of market forces • Forest Produce Monitoring System – chain of custody – hard to enforce (weak capacities) • Bidding as a pricing mechanism – only in CFRs Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

9. National control systems • Establish a clear chain of custody for forest products (introduced in 1995) • Inventory before licensing (simple tree enumeration outside PAs – still a challenge) • Tree stumps harmer-marked (except plantations) • Sawn timbers harmer-marked, and Timber Declaration Form – TDF issued to authorized dealer • Timber movement “invoice” issued for timber in transit or “in market” with ref to the TDF • Timber Monitoring Unit ensures compliance – a multi-disciplinary team supported by Ministry Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

10. National control systems • Competitive bidding – to improve revenue collection through FLEG • Collaborative forest management with local communities • Partnership of all forest law enforcement agencies (NFA, UWA, Police, magistrates, etc) to curb forestry crime • Advocacy/lobbying by CSOs – holding Govt institutions accountable; lobbying with cabinet, parliamentarians, local politicians and other decision makers Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

11. Regularization possibilities • Control at production level • Develop management plans – define what to be done/not to be done • Determine Annual Allowable Cut • Competitive bidding • Internal audits • External audits through Performance monitoring – Lead Ministry (MWLE), professional service providers • Professionalism in the Sector Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

12. Regularization possibilities cont’d • Control at trade and utilisation level • Establish chain of custody for the forest products • Support development of user group associations (sawmillers, pitsawyers, etc) • Set standards and codes of practice for the user group associations • Encourage association of small-scale consumers (timber-shed traders) to abide by set standards & codes of practice • Influence big consumers to demand for legally acquired products eg Roko, UMEME, Nat Housing Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

13. Regularization possibilities cont’d • Cross-cutting issues • Track Trade statistics on forest produce • Build Information/data-bank on sustainable yield of forest produce • Train PFOs in SFM • Restock tree & timber hammer - markers • Deal with external factors • Information sharing • Lobbying and advocacy Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan

14. Conclusions • Among member states there is need to: • Harmonize policies and legal framework • Common planning and management committee • Joint monitoring and evaluation system • Periodical management meetings • Establishment of a regional policy steering committee Cross-border flows of timber in the Great Lakes region in the context of the FLEGT action plan