Mr Sam Mwandha, the Executive Director of UWA, welcomed FSC Africa, represented by the Africa Regional Director, Dr Peter O. Alele, and FSC Eastern Africa’s Coordinator, Ms Annah Agasha.
The meeting aimed to discuss UWA's FSC certification efforts in Ugandan protected areas. Other participants included UWA's Director of Conservation, Mr John Makombo, Mr Richard Kapere, Conservation Planning Manager and responsible for UWA's FSC and Climate Change portfolios, and Ms Brenda Kyomuhendo from UWA's planning team.
Uganda's leadership in certification
Uganda has demonstrated its commitment to responsible forest management by spearheading the certification of its national parks, positioning itself as a trailblazer in the field. Dr Alele said this effort was remarkable and highlighted the pivotal role certification plays in advancing sustainable forest management practices. Both directors emphasized the need for continued efforts to extend this practice across Uganda and beyond, in line with FSC's global mission to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial, and economically prosperous management of the world's forests.
Expanding horizons: future prospects
During the meeting, the UWA Director expressed a desire to expand the scope of the certification to include additional parks, further demonstrating the collaborative spirit of the meeting. An important development in this expansion is the possibility of obtaining ecosystem service claims, which could enhance responsible forest management practices while contributing to conservation initiatives. In addition to demonstrating sustainability, ecosystem service claims can increase revenue generation for UWA, thereby strengthening the financial viability of responsible forest management.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is the government agency responsible for wildlife conservation inside and outside protected areas. As a pioneer of protected area certification in Africa, UWA has set a precedent for sustainable conservation practices that transcend national boundaries.
As the partnership between FSC and UWA demonstrates, promoting sustainable forestry practices, protecting biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems requires a collaborative approach. Together, as stewards of our environment, we strive for a harmonious coexistence between nature and humanity," said Mr Mwandha.
With the continued technical support of the FSC team, UWA will expand its certification efforts to the rest of the national parks, including Semliki, which is over 20,000 hectares, as well as the other national parks.