Conserving the threatened trees of Uganda

Tree conservation and forest restoration in Uganda

Partner: Tooro Botanical Gardens
Years: 2022-2025

This project will carry out conservation actions for 49 threatened tree species, create conservation action plans for these species and promote the use of threatened trees in reforestation programmes led by the government and other non-governmental organisations.

Uganda has more than 800 indigenous tree species, many of which are being overexploited for wood, fuel and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Poverty, human population growth and weak forestry sector governance exacerbate habitat degradation. Over 55 of Uganda’s tree species are threatened with extinction but no conservation plans for priority species and areas exist. This means efforts to conserve these species in Uganda is currently minimal. It is therefore important to plan conservation actions for sites and species, and carry out priority actions where these threatened trees occur. This project will carry out conservation actions for 49 globally or nationally threatened tree species, create conservation action plans for Uganda’s globally threatened tree species and promote improved restoration practices that include threatened trees, with government and restoration organizations. Tooro Botanical Gardens (TBG) staff will collect, propagate, and restore threatened tree species populations, establish ex situ seed orchard and gene banks, disseminate information to raise awareness of local communities, and organise training for government staff and organizations involved in reforestation. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) in collaboration with TBG and the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) will also support the development of a national strategy for the conservation of Uganda threatened tree species.