Category: Daily Monitor

When maverick businessman Hamis Kiggundu, popularly known as Ham, mobilised construction material to kick-start the construction of shopping malls on the Nakivubo channel-the capital’s main storm water drainage channel-Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago responded by not only raising a red flag, arguing that it would result in an environmental catastrophe, but he also apportioned political blame.

Mr Lukwago’s most obvious political target was President Museveni, who, in a letter dated August 2, to his Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, christened Mr Kiggundu’s plans as ‘godly.’

‘Ham points out the fact that the channel is open, invites people to throw rubbish, including plastics, faeces, etc, all of which disgust the people contiguous to the channel, leading to blockage of the channel and flooding,’ Mr Museveni wrote.

‘His proposal is imaginative and simple. Allow him to cover the channel after clearing it and strengthening it at his cost. What a really godly proposal! How will he recover his money? Simple. Allow him to build properties above it that will bring back the money. I approve of the plan. Help him execute,’ the President added.

Also in Mr Lukwago’s line of fire were councillors from the National Unity Platform (NUP) party. The councillors constitute the majority at City Hall, the seat of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), and the Kampala Lord Mayor’s issue with them was that under the leadership of Zahara Maala Luyirika, the Council’s speaker, they had, on April 3, passed a resolution which intentionally or inadvertently greenlighted Mr Kiggundu’s project.

One of the resolutions passed by the NUP councillors, who included Mosh Sendi (Makindye East), Lillian Nakakande (Nakawa East), Boniface Bukenya (Kawempe South), Angel Kwagala (Kawempe South), Jeremiah Mwanje (Rubaga North), Francis Mbaziira (Kampala Central), Innocent Tegusulwa (Nakawa West), and Faridah Nakabugo (Rubaga South), read thus: ‘Council rejects the recommendation on placing a moratorium on all processes of KCCA giving out land titles to individual developers on drainage corridors and wetlands.’

The resolution came after Mr Lukwago asked the Council to pass a resolution halting Mr Kiggundu’s activities on the Nakivubo channel.

‘I was disappointed in the Council; instead of focusing on reclaiming the Nakivubo Drainage Channel, they all turned their discussion on me because I criticised the project. I moved a motion that Mr Kiggundu get arrested and prosecuted for his illegal activities, but the motion was rejected by Council members,’ Mr Lukwago, who has been Lord Mayor since 2011, said.

Costly miscalculation?

Mr Lukwago, who has been gearing up to defend his mayoral seat against NUP’s Ronald Balimwezo, followed up by writing to David Lewis Rubongoya.

In the letter, he asked NUP’s secretary general to investigate the councillors, alleging that they had been compromised by Mr Kiggundu. While Mr Rubongoya-who wants to represent Kampala Central in the 12th Parliament, didn’t respond formally to Mr Lukwago’s request, sources familiar with NUP’s plan said the party hatched a plan to contain the Lord Mayor, who they think was using the Nakivubo saga to extract political capital.

Mr Lukwago’s messaging was politically killing the leading Opposition party in its bastion of Kampala.

‘He has to be contained. Foot soldiers has to be mobilised to confront Lukwago on public platforms and rallies,’ a source familiar with NUP plans said on condition of anonymity.

One of the foot soldiers, who was reportedly deployed to respond to Lukwago was Nakabugo, the long-serving councillor for Rubaga South at City Hall.

During NUP’s internal processes, Nakabugo had requested to be NUP’s flagbearer in the Bukomansimbi District Woman Representative (DWR) race. This as the Opposition party attempted to move on from Veronica Nanyondo, who had fallen out with its top brass.

Yet in a twist of events, Ms Nakabugo would not be listed among the NUP flagbearers to tussle out for a position in next year’s general elections. It is understood that the calculus of NUP’s top brass indicated that Nakabugo was or in fact is key to the party’s plans in stopping Lukwago’s well-oiled campaign.

The party couldn’t have, one source told us, her skillset wasted in Bukomansimbi. Consequently, NUP opted to ask her to defend her Rubaga South slot in City Hall, never mind that she hadn’t applied for it.

There is an overwhelming body of evidence that shows just how Nakabugo has been key in ‘taming’, as another source put it, Mr Lukwago.

She, for one, claimed that the resolution the Council passed didn’t plainly name the Nakivubo channel.

‘I offer to resign if they bring the resolution and it says we gave Ham [Mr Kiggundu] Nakivubo channel,’ Nakabugo said.

When it rains, it pours

All this political messaging was going, according to NUP’s plans, until the rainy season set in, leading to the unprecedented floods around the Nakivubo channel.

This resulted in losses of lives and merchandise worth billions. The flooding, coming in a political season, could have political ramifications. Observers say President Museveni might not contend with the political effects of constructing shopping malls on top of a water stream located in an ecologically sensitive area like Nakivubo since he last won Kampala in the 1996 general elections, 10 years after he had shot his way to power.

It is a different ball game for NUP, which sees Kampala as its stronghold. Following the floods, voters are openly revisiting the records of NUP candidates in Kampala.

One of the NUP candidates facing backlash following the floods is Luyirika, the speaker of the Council that spoke in unison while giving Mr Kiggundu the all clear. Luyirika, who has been representing Makindye West at City Hall, is eyeing the Makindye West Member of Parliament (MP) slot on the NUP ticket. She is facing off with incumbent Allan Ssewanyana and David Musiri.

Both Ssewanyana and Musiri were controversially denied the NUP ticket. While the former has decided to stand as an Independent, the latter heads into the 2026 parliamentary race with a Democratic Front (DF) ticket.

Luyirika’s obtaining of the NUP ticket for the Makindye West slot was controversial in the sense that she had formally requested to feature in the Kampala DWR race. Once Shamim Malende, the incumbent, indicated that she was no pushover, NUP leadership decided to give Luyirika the Makindye West slot, provoking protests from Ssewanyana and Musiri.

While Musiri reacted to NUP’s decision by decamping to the DF, Ssewanyana, who is standing as an Independent, chose to make up with his old ally Lukwago, who presided over his campaign launch at Nsambya sharing Hall last month.

Wading in the waters

Lukwago’s support of Ssewanyana becomes critical in the sense that it renews his hostilities with Luyirika. In 2013, Luyirika, then a member of the Democratic Party (DP), was among the Opposition councillors who joined arms with those of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to impeach Lukwago as Lord Mayor despite being served with a court order stopping the same by Ssewanyana, then a councillor representing Makindye.

In 2016, Luyirika was booted by the voters in Makindye West, who accused her of conniving with the NRM to frustrate Lukwago, forcing her to get a job in Kampala Capital City Authority’s technical wing.

In 2021, she decamped to NUP and made a comeback at City Hall. This time, NUP gave her the speaker’s role, still under controversial circumstances.

During the party primaries on who was to become the speaker, Luyirika emerged victorious with 12 votes, whilst his closest challenger, Hakim Kizza, got 10 votes, prompting NUP’s ‘foot soldiers’ to allege that she had compromised the process after using a lot of money.

It is not clear how Luyirika is personally going to wade in the murky waters of her latest scandal in Kampala’s principal drainage channel.

Her party, however, hatched a plan wherein top officials claimed they want to institute a suit against the State, accusing it of negligence. The party has insisted that its councillors are blameless.

‘We all saw the letter written by Museveni permitting Ham to take over the channel. You can’t blame our councillors,’ Rubongoya said this week. Yet Lukwago insists the councillors played a role in this debacle. ‘If only the councillors listened to my call. I presented a detailed damming report to them about drainage channels in Kampala,’ the Kampala Lord Mayor said.

Consequence

Observers say Mr Museveni might not contend with the political effects of constructing shopping malls on top of a water stream located in an ecologically sensitive area like Nakivubo since he last won Kampala in the 1996 general elections, 10 years after he had shot his way to power.

It is a different ball game for NUP, which sees Kampala as its stronghold. Following the floods, voters are openly revisiting the records of NUP candidates in Kampala.

Projections by Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) indicate continued growth for courier services in Uganda, driven by a surge in e-commerce and digital trade.

The market is expected to expand annually, with a significant increase in demand for last-mile delivery services for both domestic and international shipments, fueled by the growing e-commerce sector and a young, tech-savvy population.

Speaking during the opening of EHS’ official courier partner of Fedex, Ms Julianne R. Mweheire, the director of content at UCC, said increasing use of smartphones and digital marketplaces is fuelling a greater need for delivery services, as consumers expect convenience and fast delivery.

‘Companies are adapting to meet evolving customer demands for faster, more reliable, and cost-effective delivery, even as they face challenges like varied geography and the need for efficient last-mile solutions,’ she said.

Ms Mweheire noted that the entry of new licensees and the increasing compliance with regulations from the UCC are contributing to the growth of the formal courier sector.

A report by the Information Communication and Technology ministry has revealed that the e-Services market in Uganda is projected to reach 6.4 million users by 2029, with user penetration at 8.8 percent at the end of 2025.

The report shows that e-Services market revenue is projected to grow from an estimated $50.12m (Shs173.8b) in 2025 to $78.87m (Shs273.5b) by 2029, at an annual growth rate of 12 percent.

Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the ICT minister, says that, as e-commerce expands, the need for efficient and reliable last-mile delivery services will continue to grow, creating new opportunities for courier companies.

‘It is also projected to increase from $50.12m in 2025 to $78.87m by 2029 and expected to be 12.00 percent for the period 2025-2029,’ Minister Baryomunsi said.

Mr Baryomunsi added that e-commerce is forecasted to reach 6.4 million by 2029, with Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) projected to be $11.05 (Shs38,331) in 2025.

Mr Jimmy Kutosi, managing director EHS Uganda, said many landlocked African countries, including Uganda, face challenges due to higher transport costs and longer transit times compared to the global average.

‘There is a push to improve connectivity by integrating multimodal systems like rail, road, and ports to help countries like Uganda shift from exporting raw commodities to producing higher-value goods,’ he said, adding that, despite challenges, the logistics sector in Uganda presents an opportunity for companies like EHS to grow by addressing the region’s logistics needs.

Police in Adjumani District are investigating the outbreak of fire at Adjumani General Hospital staff quarters.

The incident occurred on Saturday, November 8, at approximately 2pm. According to Mr Collins Asea, the Police Public Relations Officer for North West Nile region, a police patrol vehicle was promptly dispatched to the scene upon receiving the information.

“Upon arrival, officers found that a staff quarter block comprising two units was engulfed in flames. Efforts to extinguish the fire using a small handheld fire extinguisher were unsuccessful due to the intensity of the blaze,” he said.

Mr Asea stated that both units were completely destroyed by fire, leaving nothing but ashes.

“The total value of the property destroyed has not yet been determined, as the victims are still in shock and unable to provide detailed information. The cause of the fire outbreak remains unknown at this time, and investigations are ongoing,” he added.

He said the victims are unable to specify what may have caused the fire, but crime scene investigators are currently on the ground collecting evidence for scientific analysis to determine the cause of the incident.

Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has warned that inaccurate data poses a serious threat to effective service delivery and national development.

Speaking at Uganda Christian University (UCU) during African Statistics Day celebrations on Friday, Ms Lydia Namono, Head of Outreach and Quality Assurance at UBOS, emphasised that incorrect data leads to poor planning, misguided policies, and ineffective interventions in key sectors.

“Your wrong data is no data,” Namono said. “Wrong data is like a blind man unable to guide decisions.”

Ms Namono explained that incorrect information results in programs that fail to meet community needs, wasting public resources and misguiding national priorities.

“Providing wrong information misguides the country,” she noted. “Correct data is essential for accurate and effective policy, planning, and development.”

This year’s theme highlights data’s role in promoting a just, peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous society, particularly in national security and peace-building.

Vincent Kisenyi, Dean of Students at UCU, underscored statistics’ importance in decision-making, saying data-driven planning improves decisions shaping society.

However, Kisenyi expressed concern that some leaders ignore or manipulate data for selfish interests.

“It is a great challenge that some leaders do not use credible data to make decisions,” he said. “This undermines progress and credibility in governance.”

Daphine Ayebare, representing the Uganda Judicial Officers Association, commended UBOS for organising the symposium, saying data is crucial for governance and judicial transformation.

“Data is no longer an accessory in governance – it is a necessity,” Ayebare said. “For the justice sector, data and statistics are central to judicial transformation, efficiency, access to justice, and public trust.”

The African Statistics Day symposium, scheduled for November 18, aims to raise awareness about quality data’s importance in promoting a just and prosperous African society.

Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) held its 52nd Board Air Services Licensing committee meeting, a public hearing, to consider new applicants for Air Service Licenses at Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on November 7, 2025.

Three applications were heard, including Kampala Executive Aviation, which is seeking aerial work and domestic and international scheduled passenger services, Flight Training Centre, which wants to undertake domestic and international non-scheduled passenger and cargo, training, and aerial work, and Aerojet Aviation Ltd, which applied for the commencement of domestic and international non-scheduled passenger and cargo.

UCAA Board Chairman, Justice Steven Kavuma, encouraged licensed operators to synergise through codeshare agreements to increase connectivity and stimulate air passenger and cargo traffic growth.

“Today’s meeting will consider three new applicants for air service licensing. In full compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations, these applications were publicly advertised, and we are grateful to those who have joined us for this public hearing,” he said.

Acting UCAA Director General, Mr Hassan Musinguzi, hailed the applicants’ interest in Uganda’s aviation space, describing it as a sign of confidence in the country’s growing aviation market.

“Discussions at such forums are aimed at shaping and determining the future of Uganda’s aviation industry, with particular emphasis on safety, security, and efficiency in service delivery,” he said.

Musinguzi highlighted Uganda’s growing influence in global aviation governance, noting the country’s election to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council for the 2025-2028 term.

UCAA statistics show consistent growth in passenger and cargo traffic, with Entebbe International Airport recording 1,133,336 international passengers between January and June 2025, a 6.3 per cent increase from the same period in 2024.

Musinguzi attributed this growth to improved infrastructure, including the soon-to-be-commissioned 20,000-square-meter Passenger Terminal Building at Entebbe, which will expand capacity from 2 million to 3.5 million passengers annually.

He urged operators to embrace technological advancement in aviation, noting UCAA’s transition to satellite-based systems under the Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) model.

“The aviation industry is now highly reliant on technology. Operators must be innovative and embrace modern systems to enhance safety and efficiency,” he said.

The West Nile region of Uganda, comprising dynamic border districts such as Arua, Koboko, and Moyo, serves as a vital trade corridor linking Uganda with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The region’s economy thrives on the uninterrupted exchange of goods, labour, and services across borders.

Local markets, transport operators, and small-scale entrepreneurs sustain thousands of livelihoods, making cross-border commerce the cornerstone of community welfare. However, during election seasons, this steady flow of economic activity often experiences disruptions that temporarily distort the region’s economic rhythm.

Election campaigns in Uganda are often vibrant and highly participatory, characterised by rallies, processions, and widespread mobilisation efforts that draw crowds from all corners. During these periods, community focus tends to shift from routine business to political involvement.

In this region, household income depends largely on daily trade thus the link between politics and trade here is two folds; campaigns generate short-term economic activity while simultaneously creating long-term challenges for productivity and regional stability.

On one hand, political campaigns bring temporary economic stimulation. Massive rallies attract people who spend on transport, accommodation, meals, and entertainment. Local enterprises such as printing shops, sound service providers, food vendors, and event organisers experience an upsurge in business. Hotels and lodges benefit as candidates and campaign teams traverse the districts.

Unemployed youth also gain short-term jobs in logistics, security, publicity, and stage management. These activities inject quick cash into the local economy, providing a brief financial lift for service providers and informal workers.

The negative effects of election campaigns on trade in West Nile are considerable. During campaign periods, many traders shut their shops either to attend rallies or because customer turnout drops sharply.

Business activity slows in major towns as campaign convoys, road closures, and security checks disrupt transportation and delay the movement of goods.

These disturbances raise operational costs and interrupt supply chains, particularly along key routes such as Arua-Koboko and Moyo-Adjumani. For small-scale traders who depend on daily earnings, even brief interruptions can lead to notable income losses.

Perishable goods like fish, fruits, and vegetables often go to waste when markets are closed or transport is restricted, undermining market stability and discouraging business expansion.

Despite these challenges, election campaigns remain integral to Uganda’s democratic process. They allow citizens to engage with leaders, express opinions, and influence policy direction. The key concern, however, lies in balancing democratic participation with economic stability. For border regions like West Nile, maintaining this equilibrium is essential, given their heavy reliance on trade and daily market activity.

To minimize election-related disruptions to trade, authorities should establish campaign-free market days to allow uninterrupted business operations and encourage digital or media-based campaigns such as radio discussions, televised debates, and social media outreach to reduce large gatherings that obstruct transport and commerce. Strong coordination among political parties, electoral bodies, and traders’ associations can help align campaign activities with market schedules, promoting harmony between politics and trade.

In the long run, fostering financial literacy and a savings culture among traders, alongside investments in reliable transport infrastructure, communication networks, and local security, will strengthen traders’ resilience and reduce the economic impact of campaign-related disturbances.

In conclusion, election campaigns, while vital to democracy, carry substantial economic implications, particularly in fragile border economies like West Nile. Although campaigns stimulate short-lived spending, the overall disruptions to trade, transportation, and daily business productivity often outweigh these temporary gains. If unmanaged, repeated interruptions risk undermining investor confidence, discouraging enterprise growth, and reducing the region’s competitiveness in cross-border trade.

For sustainable progress, Uganda must adopt deliberate measures that protect both political freedoms and the continuity of commerce. Managing elections with economic foresight will ensure campaign seasons transform from periods of economic slowdown into opportunities for inclusive participation that strengthen both democracy and development.

Traders in Apac Municipality are counting losses and calling for urgent government intervention after road construction in front of their businesses stalled, blocking access to their shops.

The affected stretch along Akokoro and Lira Road streets is part of the Shs 317 billion, 90.9 km Rwenkunye-Apac Road project, jointly funded by the Islamic Bank and the government of Uganda and undertaken by Sadeem Al-Kuwait General Trading and Construction Company.

Traders say the contractor excavated the road two months ago and left deep channels that collect rainwater, leaving customers unable to reach their premises.

‘It’s now two months when these people worked here and disappeared. The rainwater has collected in the channel they dug, blocking access to my business premise, and my clients are now going to other shops,’ said Fred Tema, a trader along Akokoro Road.

Karhim Tusenge, a clothes dealer on the same street, told Monitor that his sales had collapsed.

‘I opened my shop in the morning but by afternoon I had never sold anything. I need to feed my family, the municipal council wants revenue, and the landlord wants rent. I am calling upon the government to compel these people to resume work immediately,’ he said on Saturday.

Rodah Kimonno, who runs a restaurant along Lira Road, said the abandoned pit had turned into a river, preventing customers from parking and walking to her business, while also breeding mosquitoes.

Community liaison officer for Sadeem Al-Kuwait, Lawrence Munu, said the contractor was still active on other stretches of the road and pledged to return soon.

‘We have received several complaints, but our team was working in another stretch. In the coming days we shall shift there and work on it. We have already started work on some parts,’ he said.

Apac Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Richard Tabaro, apologized to the affected traders, promising to follow up with the contractor.

‘This has also affected us; we cannot access our office easily. I am following up with the contractor so that they can resume work,’ he said.

Traders say the stalled construction threatens the survival of their businesses, highlighting the broader economic impact of incomplete infrastructure projects in the region.

Uganda has lost nearly half of its forests since 1990, even as the world records a slowdown in deforestation, according to the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 (FRA 2025) released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) this past week.

The FAO data indicate that Uganda’s forest area declined from 4.55 million hectares in 1990 to 2.37 million hectares in 2025, representing a 48 percent loss over 35 years. This translates to an average loss of about 38,000 hectares of forest per year between 2020 and 2025, an improvement from the 124,000 hectares cleared annually in the 1990s, but still a substantial decline in natural forest cover.

While the numbers indicate that Uganda’s rate of forest loss is slowing, the quality and type of forests are changing. The country’s naturally regenerating forests, mainly tropical high forests and woodlands, have declined steadily, while planted forests have expanded. How exactly does the slowdown-cum-recovery look like?

The FRA 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of global forest trends based on data from 236 countries and territories. It shows that global deforestation has slowed over the past three decades.

Worldwide, forest area declined from 4.28 billion hectares in 1990 to 4.14 billion hectares in 2025, resulting in a net loss of approximately 140 million hectares.

Deforestation rates fell from 17.6 million hectares per year in the 1990s to 10.9 million hectares annually between 2015 and 2025. Forests now cover about 32 percent of the Earth’s land area, and 54 percent of these forests are under formal management plans.

About 20 percent of the world’s forests, roughly 813 million hectares, lie within legally protected areas. Yet the FAO notes that progress is uneven. While Asia and Europe have seen net forest gains due to large-scale restoration and plantation programmes, Africa and South America continue to record the world’s fastest rates of natural forest loss.

Africa’s forest area fell from 749 million hectares in 1990 to 622 million hectares in 2025, a 17 percent decline. South America lost 12 percent of its forests over the same period. In contrast, Europe’s forest cover grew slightly, from 1.00 billion hectares to 1.03 billion hectares, largely because of reforestation policies and sustainable management practices.

What does the picture look like in Uganda?

Uganda’s pattern of forest change closely follows the African trend. The country’s total forest area declined by 48 percent between 1990 and 2025, with much of this loss concentrated in naturally regenerating forests. In 1990, at least 4.38 million hectares of Uganda’s forests were naturally regenerating and 170,000 hectares were planted. By 2025, natural forests had declined to 1.85 million hectares, while planted forests expanded to 514,000 hectares.

This means 78 percent of Uganda’s remaining forests are natural, compared to more than 96 percent in 1990. The share of planted forests has, therefore, tripled over the past three decades from 3.7 percent to 21.7 percent of total forest area.

This shift aligns with Africa’s broader pattern, where natural forests continue to shrink while plantation forests expand. The FRA 2025 attributes this to population growth, demand for agricultural land, and energy needs, which push communities to clear natural forests even as governments and private investors plant commercial tree species.

Uganda’s annual rate of forest loss has decreased since 1990, but the slowdown does not yet indicate recovery. The FAO data shows that the country’s deforestation rate fell from 2.7 percent per year in the 1990s to 0.8 percent per year between 2020 and 2025. This trend is similar to the global trajectory, where deforestation rates have nearly halved since the 1990s.

However, Uganda’s total forest cover, at 11.8 percent of its land area in 2025, remains below both the African average of 21 percent and the global average of 32 percent.

The FAO also reports that the density and biomass of Uganda’s forests have declined. The country’s total growing stock, the volume of living trees, decreased from 447 million cubic metres in 1990 to 233 million cubic metres in 2025. This drop mirrors a global pattern of declining biomass in tropical regions, where forests are being replaced by younger or less diverse vegetation.

What are the implications on the ecological quality and carbon storage?

Per FAO’s data, Uganda’s average forest biomass density decreased from 114 tonnes per hectare in 2015 to 90 tonnes per hectare in 2025, while carbon stock density fell proportionally. Globally, forests hold about 662 gigatonnes of carbon, distributed mainly in biomass and soil.

On average, global forest carbon stock has remained relatively stable since 2000, but Africa’s share has declined because of ongoing natural forest degradation. Uganda’s figures fit within this continental pattern: fewer large, old trees and expanding plantations mean lower long-term carbon storage.

Planted forests in Uganda, mainly eucalyptus, pine, and cypress have higher short-term wood density but store less stable carbon than mature natural forests. This is consistent with FAO’s broader observation that while planted forests can reduce pressure on natural forests by supplying timber and energy, they do not fully substitute for the ecological functions of natural forests.

What does this all mean in terms of management and protection of forests?

According to FAO, Uganda has made progress in expanding forest areas under formal management and protection. Between 2010 and 2020, the country’s protected forest area increased from 1.13 million hectares to 1.52 million hectares, before stabilising at 1.43 million hectares in 2025. More than half of Uganda’s forest area, about 55 percent, is now under management plans, roughly in line with the global average. By comparison, 78 percent of European forests and 62 percent of Asian forests are managed under formal frameworks.

However, despite improved planning, the FAO data shows that Uganda’s natural forests outside protected areas continue to shrink.

Speak to the comparative picture.

In regional comparison, Uganda’s forest story reflects both improvement and vulnerability. The country’s deforestation rate has slowed faster than the sub-Saharan African average, which remains above one percent per year, but its total forest cover is still lower than that of countries like Tanzania (44 percent), Kenya (eight percent), and Rwanda (29 percent).

Asia, meanwhile, presents the strongest gains: countries such as China and India have expanded their forest cover through large-scale afforestation, increasing Asia’s forest area by over 45 million hectares since 1990. In Europe, sustainable forest management and natural regeneration have led to a steady net increase in forest area, reversing centuries of decline.

South America remains a hotspot for deforestation, losing more than 80 million hectares since 1990, mostly in the Amazon Basin. Africa’s decline, at 127 million hectares, is similar in scale, but the FAO notes that reforestation and land restoration initiatives are beginning to slow the loss. Uganda’s figures, therefore, place it in a middle position: among countries that are slowing deforestation but still facing serious natural forest depletion.

How about ownership and tenure?

The FAO report notes that forest ownership patterns significantly affect conservation outcomes. In Uganda, forests are a mix of public, private, and community ownership. About 1.93 million hectares are publicly owned, while 440,000 hectares are under private ownership or leasehold arrangements.

Globally, state ownership remains the dominant model, covering 73 percent of forests, though community and private ownership are rising in Asia and Latin America. The FAO data suggest that Uganda’s ownership distribution has remained relatively stable since 2010, with a slight increase in privately managed plantation areas, reflecting a regional trend toward commercial forestry investment.

And the contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs?

Uganda’s declining natural forest cover, combined with lower biomass density, suggests the country is not on track to meet SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) targets related to halting deforestation and enhancing carbon sinks by 2030.

Globally, the FAO reports that achieving zero deforestation by 2030 would require reducing the current rate of forest loss by nearly 70 percent. For Uganda, this would mean cutting annual losses from 38,000 hectares to below 12,000 hectares.

The FAO highlights that most regions are making progress toward expanding forest area under sustainable management, but only Asia is on track to achieve net forest gain by 2030.

The FRA 2025 concludes that while the global rate of deforestation has slowed, the world is still losing forests faster than they can regenerate. Uganda’s progress follows this same pattern: a slower rate of loss, but continued decline in natural forest ecosystems.

The FAO emphasises that reforestation and afforestation programmes must prioritise ecosystem restoration, not only tree planting, to achieve climate and biodiversity goals. The report notes that planted forests now make up seven percent of the world’s total forest area, but most are monocultures serving industrial or energy needs.

For Uganda, the data imply that while plantation forestry is expanding, it cannot replace the ecological functions of natural forests.

What’s the global and national bottom line?

The FRA 2025 paints a cautiously optimistic global picture of progress in management and planning, but persistent loss in natural forest cover. Uganda’s experience is emblematic of this tension: notable improvements in forest governance and replanting, yet an ongoing erosion of the country’s ecological base.

In 1990, Uganda’s forest cover accounted for 23 percent of its land area; today, it stands at just under 12 percent. Planted forests have tripled, but natural forests have halved. The trend is not unique; it mirrors much of tropical Africa, where development pressures and energy needs outpace restoration.

Globally, the FAO warns that the slowdown in forest loss should not be mistaken for recovery. For Uganda and many African nations, the next decade will determine whether the current trajectory leads to regeneration or to the irreversible decline of natural forests.

What about forest use and function

FAO categorises forests by their primary function: production, protection, biodiversity conservation, and social services.

In Uganda, 514,000 hectares of forests are designated primarily for production such as timber and fuelwood, while 818,000 hectares are reserved mainly for biodiversity and conservation purposes. The remainder serves multiple or unspecified functions.

This distribution shows that Uganda has maintained a balance between economic and ecological uses of its forests, though the total area under conservation has declined since 1990.

Globally, about 45 percent of forests are primarily designated for production, 25 percent for biodiversity conservation, and the rest for protection or mixed uses. Uganda’s ratios, therefore, align with the global pattern but on a smaller scale.

The new approach to sustainable agriculture is to keep our farms and homesteads free of any form of waste, Yisto Muddu, the founder of COTFONE (Community Transformation Foundation Network), a grassroots network organisation working to drive impactful change in the communities of the greater Masaka Sub-region in Uganda, says.

He is of the view that sustainable economic development for our country is only attainable by recognising and adopting the best practices with positive impact on improving our living environment.

“There must be a waste collection point in every homestead,” he says.

“The waste must be sorted. Metallic waste such as nails and objects made out of iron should be separated from glass waste and plastic waste. Biodegradable waste must also be separated. Non-biodegradable waste should be collected and sold to companies that reuse the materials to make new products and biodegradable waste should be turned into organic manure for use on the farm. Most of our people live in rural areas as smallholder farmers and every farming household should be taught how to make organic manure out of biodegradable waste.”

Muddu made the statement in a press release that he issued soon after his return recently from a conference in Istanbul, Turkey, where COTEFONE signed a new partnership with Zero Waste Foundation, an international network, whose patron is the first lady of the Republic of Turkey, Emine Erdogan.

It is composed of organizations and eminent persons committed to achieving a clean and healthy working environment by promoting local and national zero-waste initiatives. Muddu says farmers are expected to produce good, clean, and fair food, which is only possible if they work in a clean environment that is free from any form of waste material. He formerly used to be the coordinator of Slow Food in Masaka Region.

Slow Food is a global movement that unites local groups and activists around a shared vision: ensuring that everyone has access to food that is good for them, good for the people who grow it, and good for the planet.

He says food producers and handlers must work in a clean environment which does not give chance to eruption of disease and which is good for soil health and preservation. COTEFONE is headquartered in Kiwangala Trading Centre, Lwengo District, and works to develop and deliver targeted training modules, toolkits, and educational materials to strengthen urban authorities’ capacity on zero waste strategies.

Sensitisation is key

He endeavors to make sure that there is a waste collection pit in every household especially in the neighbouring farming homesteads.

Farming is in reality the management of plants, animals, and the environment in order to produce crops. Livestock droppings and beddings are good manure for the plants.

However, if the environment is polluted with dangerous objects like plastic or metallic waste, the animals and farmed birds may ingest them, and fall sick. Good hygiene and sanitation are therefore key in sustainable agriculture.

“We have to sensitize the shop owners about the dangers of plastic waste because most of the garbage in the local communities actually comes from the shops,” Muddu says.

“Our strategy is to raise awareness of shop owners about the environmental impact of the waste that daily comes from their shops — the polythene bags into which they put goods sold out to customers, the plastic bottles containing mineral water, alcohol, and soft drinks. The shop keepers should encourage their customers to carry shopping baskets and other containers in which to place the items they purchase. This could minimize the amount of polythene bags given out by the shop attendants. If a loaf of bread is sold to a customer, why should it be put in a polythene bag and not a shopping basket?”

When Seeds of Gold visited, Muddu was taking some members of Kiboobi Village community and some school children around waste collection pits and emphasizing to them the importance of sorting waste material.

“As partners of Zero Waste Foundation, COTEFONE is committed to creating a sustainable future by promoting the principles of the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle.”

Dr Emmanuel Ssentongo, the proprietor of Betereemu Hospital in Kyotera District and current chairman of COTEFONE, has told Seeds of Gold, “If there are pieces of plastic waste and empty bottles all over the homestead, they store rain water and become the breeding ground for malaria causing mosquitoes,’ he says, adding that this means farmers falling sick and failing to carry out work.

Decomposition

‘Mindless disposal of plastic waste and other non-biodegradable waste therefore reduces agricultural production. Community health always depends on how much individuals take care of their environment. They must have well maintained latrines, complete with hand washing basins. Even pieces of paper and plant leaves left to lie in the compound for too long become breeding ground for rats and disease producing organisms like mosquitoes and flies.”

Dr Eseri Nankya, a soil scientist in NARO (National Agricultural Research Organisation), has said that plastic waste is not good for agriculture since it does not decompose for up to more than a hundred years.

‘Plant roots cannot easily go through plastic and even free underground movement of water and air is impeded,” she said. “This makes life difficult for soil organisms that naturally transport nutrients to the lowest end of the crop roots. Plastic waste prevents soil aeration which makes plant growth difficult or even impossible.’

Dr Nankya further says that non-biodegradable waste often includes bottles and cans that formerly used to contain poisonous and dangerous chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides or even human medicine. She says when such waste is driven to wetlands by wind or running water they cause the death of plants and other living things — fish, birds, and snakes, naturally meant to live in the swamps. She says they reduce biodiversity.

According to the Zero Waste Forum, every year, humanity generates between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste. Without urgent action, the annual waste generation will hit 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050. Waste pollution threatens human health, costs the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars every year, and aggravates the triple planetary crisis: climate, nature, land and biodiversity loss, pollution, and waste.

As normalcy gradually returns, scenes of distress have unfolded across police stations and hospitals as citizens search frantically for relatives and loved ones-either confirmed dead or still missing since the violent protests of October 29, 2025.

According to families of the missing persons, they have encountered difficulties in locating the bodies of their loved ones who are confirmed to have died, while authorities remain silent on the exact number of casualties.

Speaking to The Citizen in separate interviews, several families described the desperate efforts they have made for more than nine days to find their relatives, with many still unable to recover the bodies despite being told their loved ones had perished.

Meanwhile, about 80 individuals have been arraigned before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam on charges of treason, stemming from the events of October 29, which also involved damage to public infrastructure.

Hospital administrators have confirmed receiving bodies of people killed during the unrest, though they declined to disclose numbers, stating that only the police were authorised to speak on the matter.

The Inspector General of Police, Camillus Wambura, told The Citizen’s sister Newspaper Mwananchi on November 5, 2025 that information regarding the incident would be provided by the Government’s Chief Spokesperson.

‘This will be addressed by the Government Chief Spokesperson,’ IGP Wambura said.

However, efforts to reach the Chief Government Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa, for comment have been unsuccessful.

Heartbreaking accounts from families

A woman, who requested anonymity, said she has not seen her husband since he left for work in Arusha on October 29.

According to her, a brother-in-law informed her that her husband had been shot dead in the Kaloleni area. The brother-in-law told her that a doctor had phoned to report that her husband had been brought to hospital with gunshot wounds, but by the time she arrived, he had already died.

She said retrieving the body has proven extremely difficult, as officials told her to seek a permit from the regional commissioner. Despite being instructed to return on November 1, 4, and later 6, the family has yet to be handed the body.

‘The district medical officer promised to issue a permit, but until now, we have neither seen the permit nor the body. I no longer know which hospital my husband is in,’ she said.

In Dar es Salaam, Hashim Saranyika said his younger brother, Maneno Saranyika, went missing on October 29 while at his shop in Salasala.

He said eyewitnesses sent him photos and videos showing his brother lying on the ground, bleeding from gunshot wounds. Witnesses told him the police took Maneno to Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital, but the family could not find him there despite checking other hospitals across the city.

‘Since we are certain he is dead, we held a mourning ceremony at home, even as we continue to search for his body,’ Hashim said.

‘We have gone from one hospital to another without success. At one point, we heard that mass burials were taking place and went there, but we were told he was not among them. We are now suspending the search until new information emerges.’

Searching police stations

In Pwani Region, Eliana Sakayo from Mlandizi said she has visited multiple hospitals and police stations in search of her husband, who disappeared after leaving for work on October 29.

‘I was told he was injured and taken to Muhimbili after being hurt on election day. Unfortunately, I couldn’t travel because the Morogoro road was closed,’ she said.

When she finally reached Muhimbili National Hospital on November 4, there was no record of him. Two days later, she was directed to Msimbazi Police Station, where she found his name listed among those detained-but has not been allowed to see him.

Similarly, Mbegu Nasoro from Kiluvya Madukani said her daughter went out on October 29 for business and has not been seen since.

‘We’ve searched morgues and hospital wards across Kibaha and Dar es Salaam without success. Her phones are off, and no relatives have seen her. We’re just praying she’s safe,’ she said.

Many families visiting police stations said they found lists of detainees posted publicly; when a missing person’s name was not on a list, they were forced to try other stations.

Hospitals maintain silence

Executive Director of Muhimbili National Hospital, Dr Delilah Kimambo said: ‘All details of patients received, including bodies, have been submitted to the Chief Medical Officer.’

Executive Director of the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), Dr Mpoki Ulisubisya gave a similar response.

However, Chief Medical Officer Dr Grace Magembe directed inquiries to the Ministry of Health’s Head of Communications, Roida Andusamile, who said: ‘This is a police matter. In any incident involving casualties, they are the ones with the data. However, since this is a national issue, the Disaster Management Unit may clarify further, while the police hold the statistics.’

Calls for dignified burials

Disaster management expert James Mbatia described the situation as a national tragedy.

‘This is a disaster, not a crisis. During such moments, restraint is vital to allow space for reflection. Healing begins with ensuring that those who lost their lives are buried with dignity,’ he said.

‘Tanzanian tradition dictates that every person deserves a respectful burial to help ease the pain of the bereaved. Calmness and compassion are essential before discussions on loss and property damage can take place-because human life cannot be replaced,’ Mbatia added.

Political scientist Dr Conrad Masabo echoed this view, urging authorities to record casualties and ensure the dead are buried according to their faiths and cultural practices.

‘That’s what we call cultural healing,’ he said. ‘Death is painful, but it becomes even more traumatic if burials are delayed or carried out without proper rites.’

Regional commissioner in tears

In Njombe, Regional Commissioner Anthony Mtaka was moved to tears while listening to residents who lost relatives in the October 29 unrest.

The incident occurred during a meeting with business leaders in Makambako on November 6, 2025.

Sifael Msigala, Chairperson of the Southern Highlands Business Association, said three of their members had died during the violence and urged the Government to release their bodies for burial according to their customs and beliefs.

‘Our hearts will find peace only when they are brought home for burial,’ he said.

Some residents, fearing for their safety, declined to speak openly, saying they could be targeted for doing so. Many pleaded with authorities to release the bodies of their relatives so they could be laid to rest.

Mtaka assured residents that peace and security had been restored and urged them to report any signs of unrest.

‘The Government and security agencies are fully prepared. Citizens must play their part by reporting any threats to peace so that the law can take its course,’ he said.

Kenyan Government appeals for citizen safety

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, has urged the Tanzanian Government to ensure the safety of Kenyan nationals living in the country and to uphold their rights.

His remarks followed reports that Kenyans in Tanzania were living in fear after being linked to the protests.

According to The Daily Nation, some families in Kenya expressed concern for their relatives’ safety in Tanzania. One family claimed to have received credible information that their relative-a teacher in Dar es Salaam-had been killed, but the body’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Reports suggest several Kenyans have sought assistance from their embassy in Dar es Salaam to return home.

Kenyan Ambassador to Tanzania, Isaac Njenga, told Daily Nation on November 5 that any Kenyan wishing to leave Tanzania was free to do so.

It is understood that on November 6, Mudavadi met with Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, where both reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the safety of foreign nationals.

‘In our meeting, we emphasised the importance of ensuring the protection and security of all foreign citizens, including Kenyans, who contribute to Tanzania’s economic growth through legitimate business and professional services,’ Mudavadi said.

Kenya’s Foreign Ministry estimates that by May 2025, about 250,000 Kenyans were living and working in Tanzania.

Catholic Church announces prayers for victims

Meanwhile, the Catholic Archdiocese of Mbeya has announced a special intention mass to pray for those killed or injured during and after the October 29 general election.

In a statement dated November 4, 2025 the diocesan secretary, Father Henry Mwalyenga, directed all parishes to hold special prayers for the victims.

The prayers will be held on Sunday, November 9, 2025-the 32nd Sunday in Year C-with a special diocesan mass at Mwanjelwa Pilgrimage Church in Mbeya.

‘We ask all parish priests and clergy serving in the deaneries of Mbeya, Mbalizi, and Mporoto to mobilise the faithful to attend the mass, which will be presided over by the Archbishop and Auxiliary Bishop,’ the statement read.

Confirming the announcement, Archbishop Gervas Nyaisonga said the intention is to pray for the nation and those affected by the election-related violence.

‘Yes, it’s an official directive. The aim is to pray for the country and for those who suffered during and after the election. Each parish will hold its own service, and those near Mbeya will gather at Mwanjelwa Church. Everyone is welcome to join,’ he said.