The National Forestry Authority (NFA) will receive an additional Shs4 billion in funding for the upcoming fiscal year to provide tree seedlings, according to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources’ recommendation.
The money would fill a budget gap in the restoration of trees and forest cover where just Shs3 billion had previously been granted, according to the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Emmanuel Otaala.
According to Otaala, “The committee recommends that NFA swiftly establish the National Tree Planting Project, which is addressed in the National Development Plan (NDP III).”
The committee’s report on the ministerial policy statements and budget projections for the fiscal year 2023–2024 contains this proposal.
The committee additionally suggested giving the Ministry of Water and Environment Sh30 billion to help with environmental restoration through tree planting.
“The committee was informed that the ministry needs Shs10 billion in outstanding certificates for seedlings that have already been provided and Shs20 billion for raising tree seedlings. For this aim, only Shs2 billion has been allocated, according to Otaala.
In a minority report of the Committee, Hon. Christine Kaaya, a representative for the Kiboga District, requested that Parliament appropriate Sh10 billion for constructing tree nurseries in sub-counties across the nation.
Localizing tree nurseries in sub-counties, according to Kaaya, will encourage private citizens to participate in commercial forestry and agroforestry.
Hon. Naome Kibaaju (NRM, Sheema County North) emphasized the demand for funding to support national initiatives encouraging reforestation and afforestation.
“I was recently given tree seedlings to take to my constituency, and people picked them up quickly, which shows that people have the urge to plant trees,” said Kibaaju.
Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker, advised lawmakers to create nursery beds for tree seedlings in their districts as part of their civic duty, which would increase the amount of forest cover.
“A nursery bed isn’t that expensive, and it’s simple to move seedlings around your constituencies.” “We can work with the Minister of the Environment to get good seedlings for us,” Tayebwa stated.
More focus should be placed on protecting natural forests, according to Hon. Pius Wakabi (NRM, Bugahya County), along with funding for tree-planting initiatives.
“Bugoma Forest is completely ruined right now if you were to visit it. We, therefore, urge the government to devote more attention to safeguarding the nation’s natural forest cover, according to Wakabi.
The plan to increase funding to increase the country’s forest cover was welcomed by the State Minister for Environment, Hon. Beatrice Anywar, who noted that it will significantly improve the availability and distribution of seedlings.
She continued by saying that the government is taking action to address the worries about preventing the loss of the Bugoma Forest.
“This situation is a sore spot for us, and the President has ordered the Prime Minister to work with the ministry to resolve it.” “Let’s unite to protect our environment,” Anywar stated.
