President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and EU Commissioner Mr. Virginijus Sinkevičius have launched a new EU Forestry program aimed at leveraging the EU’s expertise in the forestry sector to benefit Uganda. The launch event took on Tuesday at State House Entebbe.
Mr. Sinkevičius, the EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, announced the provision of EUR 40 million (Ugx. 167 billion) in grant financing to Uganda. This funding aims to address the root causes of deforestation in Uganda while promoting reforestation and sustainable economic development, aligning with the European Green Deal objectives and the EU’s sustainable connectivity strategy.
President Museveni welcomed the EU delegation and expressed appreciation for their support for environmental conservation, emphasizing the importance of protecting ecosystems, including national parks, forest reserves, and wetlands.
Both the EU and the Government of Uganda have collaborated on commercial forestry over the past 15 years, working to identify and implement inclusive solutions to reduce deforestation, forest degradation, and unsustainable conversion of natural ecosystems.
Commissioner Sinkevičius commended Uganda for being among the first five countries to sign a Forest Partnership Agreement with the EU at COP-27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. He highlighted Uganda’s successful development and validation of a Forest Partnership roadmap within the agreed timeframe.
The new Forest program will focus on increasing inclusive investments and job opportunities in sustainable forestry, expanding forest cover, and improving forest resources governance, protection, and management.
The collaboration between the Government of Uganda and the EU in natural resources management spans over 30 years, with a recent emphasis on commercial forestry in the past 15 years.
Hon. Beatrice Anywar, Minister of State for Environment, thanked President Museveni for hosting the event and reiterated the forest partnership’s contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing forest cover by 2030.
The meeting was attended by dignitaries including the Minister of Finance, Hon. Matia Kasaija, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem.
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