Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), in partnership with the National Forest Authority (NFA) and Rotary International, has launched a three-year forest restoration initiative that will see 80,000 indigenous trees planted in the Namananga Central Forest Reserve in Kayunga District.
The project aims to restore sections of the 459-hectare forest reserve which serves as an important ecological corridor linking Mabira Forest and the Musamya Swamp.
The reserve also protects key water catchments including the Nalwe and Wugula streams which support surrounding communities, agriculture and wildlife.
Speaking during the launch, Felicite Nson, Managing Director, Uganda Breweries Limited, said the initiative reflects the company’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability.
“As we mark 80 years of brewing in Uganda, we know our business depends on a healthy environment,” Nson said.
“Today’s activities added 2,000 indigenous seedlings to the 26,000 already planted under this restoration effort. Restoring Namananga Forest supports the natural systems that sustain our value chain, from water sources to the crops grown by farmers across the country. That is why protecting and restoring ecosystems remains a clear responsibility and a priority for us.”
This project comes at a pivotal time in Uganda’s history. The Namananga restoration project directly contributes to Uganda Vision 2040’s objective of restoring the nation’s forest canopy to 24%, while the country’s forest cover now stands at 13.3%.
With an emphasis on native species, the alliance seeks to restore a robust ecosystem that can sustain regional biodiversity, control regional temperatures, and safeguard the water supplies that local businesses and millions of Ugandans rely on.
The collaboration of the public, private, and civil society sectors is essential to the project’s success.
On behalf of the National Forest Authority (NFA), Martin Mwodi Kegere, the Director of Plantations Development at NFA, said the rest of Namananga provides an opportunity to extend Collaborative Forest Management, “A declaration of our shared responsibility to restore Uganda’s natural heritage and secure the ecological future of our country.”
“My plea is that we work with the teams that are around to ensure that the efforts that I and you all are protected for future generations. Today’s event is more than a ceremonial planting of trees..”
District Governor Geoffrey Martin Kitakule, who spoke on behalf of Rotary International noted, “The Namananga Forest’s restoration is a huge project that calls for cooperation. We are honoured to support UBL as they give back to the environment to commemorate 80 years. I call upon UBL to remain our ESG implementation partners to restore our environment.”
The UGX 372 million investment goes beyond planting. It commits all partners to ensuring these trees survive, grow, and restore a critical ecosystem over the next three years.
Success will be measured in canopy cover regained, water systems protected, and communities that continue to depend on this forest.