Increasing Population Threatens Uganda’s Forest Reserves

Uganda’s population is rising at a 3.2% rate with some areas like Kagadi and Rubirizi districts suffering a significant effect on the available resources of the country where the population is growing at more than 4.2%.

Reproductive Health Uganda attributed this to the large population of unmanageable families that have caused pressure on the central forest reserves that have led Uganda to lose about three million hectares of forest cover.

According to a resident in Namirembe village, Kagadi district, Ambase Apoki, sensitization and family planning are being boosted through women groups to counteract the population growth rate.

“In order to start any kind of family planning, one has to discuss it with their partner and find a way forward,” said Ambase.

Reproductive Health Uganda in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature is running a three-year project meant to address family planning challenges. Forest and Wildlife Coordinator, Martin Asiimwe said that they intend to use family planning to reduce the population pressure on the environment in Kagadi district.

“The integration of family planning has helped us to reduce the number of children they are having and hence not cutting our forests,” said RHU Branch Manager Hoima, Catherine Katusiime.

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