Uganda has launched the semi-autonomous National Forest Authority (NFA) to improve management of the country’s central forest reserves.
The body replaces the colonial era forest department, which saw the nation’s forest cover recede from 45% to 20% and was plagued by corruption and under-funding.
The NFA, which will manage 30% of forests, is receiving four-year funding totalling US$13m from donors including Norwegian development agency NORAD, the UK’s department for international development and the EU.
Uganda has also set up district forestry services to manage the remaining 70% of forests, most of it on private land.
