OUR PROGRAMS

Research And Monitoring Programs.

Our Research and Monitoring Programs encompass a wide range of ecological and conservation efforts in Uganda's Central Forest Reserves. These include the assessment of medicinal plant species, storm-induced forest destruction, and restoration progress in critical reserves like Kalinzu, Mpanga, and Luwafu. Our programs, conducted in collaboration with Uganda's National Forestry Authority (NFA) and local communities, focus on evaluating biodiversity, forest regeneration, herbal medicine extraction impacts, and ecotourism potentials. By monitoring these critical ecosystems, we aim to contribute to sustainable forest management and the preservation of vital natural resources for future generations.

CONSERVATION OF NATURAL TROPICAL FORESTS

Uganda Central Forest Reserves
Research and Monitoring Programs
Medicinal Plant Species Conservation
Uganda Central Forest Reserves
Research and Monitoring Programs
Medicinal Plant Species Conservation
Forest Restoration Uganda
Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Mpanga Forest Reserve
Storm-Induced Forest Destruction
Herbal Medicine Extraction
Uganda National Forestry Authority
Biodiversity Assessment Uganda
Ecotourism in Uganda
Forest Regeneration Uganda
Sustainable Forest Management
Community Involvement in Conservation
ECOSEV Uganda Programs

Recent research engagements.

August 2024. Carried out a preliminary survey about the current status of threatened key medicinal plant species in different parts of Kalinzu Central Forest reserve Uganda. It was jointly carried out with Uganda’s National Forestry Authority. In the image above, NFA staff explaining destructive methods of utilizing Warburgia ugandensis for medicinal purposes through debarking

Uganda Central Forest Reserves
Research and Monitoring Programs
Medicinal Plant Species Conservation
Forest Restoration Uganda
Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Mpanga Forest Reserve
Storm-Induced Forest Destruction
Herbal Medicine Extraction
Uganda National Forestry Authority
Biodiversity Assessment Uganda
Ecotourism in Uganda
Forest Regeneration Uganda
Sustainable Forest Management
Community Involvement in Conservation
ECOSEV Uganda Programs

Recent research engagements.

ECOSEV and a local community member analyzing the impact of debarking Xanthoxylum gilleti for medicinal purposes.

Medicinal Plant Species Conservation
Forest Restoration Uganda
Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Mpanga Forest Reserve
Storm-Induced Forest Destruction
Herbal Medicine Extraction
Uganda National Forestry Authority
Biodiversity Assessment Uganda
Ecotourism in Uganda

Herbal Medicine Extraction

Destructive methods of extracting herbal medicines eventuary result into death of the affected trees

Recent research engagements.

Observing threats to the health of Prunus Africana trees due to their utilization for medicinal purposes in Kalinzu Forest Reserve.

Recent research engagements.

ECOSEV staff, in collaboration with NFA staff, are intensely searching for highly threatened tree species used for medicinal purposes, including Citropsis articulata.

March – April 2024. Assessments of the storm-induced forest destruction in Mpanga CFR.

ECOSEV researchers, in collaboration with NFA staff, assessing scenes of the storm-induced destruction of a big part of Mpanga CFR which occurred on 15th March 2024. During the storm a big portion of the forest reserve was completely destroyed since most trees were either and or uprooted, trunks broken, de-toped, main branches broken, fallen over by other big falling trees, split and twisted

Assessments of the storm-induced forest destruction in Mpanga CFR.

ECOSEV researchers in collaboration with NFA staff assessing scenes of the storm-induced destruction of a big part of Mpanga CFR which occurred on 15th March 2024. During the storm a big portion of the forest reserve was completely destroyed since most trees were either and or uprooted, trunks broken, de-toped, main branches broken, fallen over by other big falling trees, split and twisted

Assessments of the storm-induced forest destruction in Mpanga CFR.

January 2024: An assesment of local livelihood benefits from some Central Forest Resrves located in the Lake Victoria basin in Uganda.

ECOSEV staff and community members explored the herbal medicine potential in Gangu Central Forest Reserve as a key source of livelihoods. In the image above, a local herbalist explains destructive herbal medicine extraction methods to fellow community members, as well as ECOSEV and NFA staff.

Forests and herbal medicines

In the image above, a local community member is explaining the benefits of herbal medicine to their community

Forests and herbal medicines

In the image above, a focus group discussion is shown where local community members and ECOSEV staff share ideas about the dynamics of herbal medicine utilization.

Forests and herbal medicines

A community herbalist explaining some of the commonly used herbal medicinal plant species in Gangu Central Forest reserve

Forests serve as a key source of firewood for local communities. The images depict ECOSEV assessing the utilization of firewood from forest reserves.

Forests serve as a key source of firewood for local communities. The images depict ECOSEV assessing the utilization of firewood from forest reserves.

Forests serve as a key source of firewood for local communities. The images depict ECOSEV assessing the utilization of firewood from forest reserves.

January 2024. Assessment of the restoration progress carried out in parts of Nawandigi Central Forest Reserve.

ECOSEV in partnership with local community members, assesing the restoration progress in parts of Nawandigi CFR carried out by civil society groups in Butambala District, Central Uganda.

January 2024. Assessment of the restoration progress carried out in parts of Nawandigi Central Forest Reserve.

ECOSEV in partnership with local community members, assesing the restoration progress in parts of Nawandigi CFR carried out by civil society groups in Butambala District, Central Uganda.

January 2024. Assessment of the restoration progress carried out in parts of Nawandigi Central Forest Reserve.

ECOSEV in partnership with local community members, assesing the restoration progress in parts of Nawandigi CFR carried out by civil society groups in Butambala District, Central Uganda.

January 2024. Assessment of the restoration progress carried out in parts of Nawandigi Central Forest Reserve.

ECOSEV in partnership with local community members, assesing the restoration progress in parts of Nawandigi CFR carried out by civil society groups in Butambala District, Central Uganda.

June – August 2023: Assessment of the previously restored Luwafu Central Forest Reserve, located on an island in Lake Victoria.

The photos capture ECOSEV and NFA staff evaluating factors influencing regeneration, including areas of the forest that have been cut and burnt.

June – August 2023: Assessment of the previously restored Luwafu Central Forest Reserve, located on an island in Lake Victoria.

The image above shows crop growing in restored areas

June – August 2023: Assessment of the previously restored Luwafu Central Forest Reserve, located on an island in Lake Victoria.

The image above shows cattle grazing as a factor affecting regeneration

Through education, training, research, networking and advocacy, our goal is to contribute to conservation of tropical forests. ECOSEV focuses on creating awareness and educating forest users and other stakeholders about the environmental and socio-economic impact of forest destruction and degradation and how the affected forests can be restored and sustainably managed. ECOSEV also undertakes research to assist stakeholders in reviewing policies and implementing activities concerned with tropical forest conservation.

ECOSEV Staff engaging local communities adjacent to Gangu Central Forest Reserve, Central Uganda to appreciate the key roles played by the forest and to stop illegal cutting of trees in the forest reserve.

Community sensitization about importance of the forests and involvement in some forest management activities is key in our efforts for conserving natural forests. Realizing the continuous illegal forest cutting by timber traders in Gangu central forest reserve, our team took an initiative to engage and empower nearby communities with right knowledge on effects of forest degradation such as contributing to climate change, desertification, soil erosion, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and ways on how they can be sustainably managed.

ECOSEV Team engaging local Communities neighbouring Lwamunda Central Forest Reserve, Central Uganda to stop growing crops in the Forest Reserve.

Besides cutting trees in the forest reserve for mainly firewood and timber, communities around Lwamunda Central Forest Reserve have encroached and degraded some areas in the forest reserve by using them for growing crops and grazing some livestock including pigs, goats and cattle. Our team has been carrying out community sensitization in several communities adjacent to forest reserves on how the degradation contributes to climate change, and how it affects other aspects of the environment and their livelihoods.

ECOSEV Team at Lwamunda Central Forest Reserve to Engage Local Communities to Stop Growing Crops in Forest Reserve.

An illegal structure being erected in Lwamunda Central Forest Reserve, central Uganda.

Encroachment on some forest reserves including Lwamunda through illegal grabbing of forest land and erecting buildings is common and is one of the main threats facing conservation of the forest reserves. Continuous efforts to engage key stakeholder in averting this ill trend are underway and part of our planned program is periodically visiting all reserved forest to identify such illegal human practices and through engaging the right authorities, the culprits are apprehend.

A degraded part of Lwamunda Central Forests Reserve which is being cleared to be planted with Eucalyptus tree by Private Tree Planters.

Part of Lwamunda Central Forest Reserves that had been intensely affected by degradation has been cleared for planting tree species in order to increase tree cover.

A fairly well conserved part of Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR) located in Central Uganda is used for Ecotourism.

Findings from our teams’ research indicate that sustainable tourism (ecotourism) has proven as one of the most effective ways of promoting forest conservation, providing economic and employment opportunities for local communities around Mabira CFR and other tropical rain forests in Uganda. Therefore, initiatives for promoting ecotourism such as the one in Mabira forest reserve are at the core of our agenda.

Members of ECOSEV researching on the rich biodiversity of Mabira CFR.

Our research team has found out that Mabira CFR is endowed with a rich biodiversity; blessed with a wide range of plants and animal species which, will become extinct unless the forest is well conserved. Initiatives for protecting tropical rainforests including Mabira CFR from illegal human activities is a key component the ECOSEV interests and activities.

An ECOSEV Staff engaging a staff of the National Forestry Authority (NFA) on strategies for combating the intense tree cutting in some parts of Mabira CFR and on how the degraded areas can be effectively restored.

Illegal human activities including tree cutting for timber and firewood have continued in some parts of Mabira CFR. ECOSEV team together with relevant stakeholders including government officials often visit parts of Mabira CFR to identify affected areas and identify practical strategies on how the degraded part of this tropical rainforest can be restored.

Ecosev staff carrying out a Biodiversity research survey in Lwamunda Central Forest Reserve.

Our staff often conduct research in different forest reserves so as to generate information that can assist NFA and other stakeholders to implement relevant forest management activities.

ECOSEV Team Together With Relevant Authorities Apprehending people engIllegal Human Activities in Uganda's Natural Rain Forests.

Environmental Education and Tree Planting

Through our environmental education program, we engage all key stakeholders to explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment. As a result, the participants develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and acquire the necessary skills to make informed and responsible decisions. Our environmental education activities involve various categories of people and institutions including members of different local communities, schools and other academic institutions, places of worship (churches, mosques, etc), civil society organisations, business communities and government authorities.

ECOSEV staff educating children of Boma Primary School in Mbarara Municipality, South Western Uganda about Environmental Conservation and techniques of planting tree in school compounds and homesteads.

We understand the importance of the younger generation in the fight against future climate change effects. Our School focused environmental education is key to promote climate action. It helps young children understand and address the impacts of the climate crisis, empowering them with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to act as agents of change.

ECOSEV staff educating ecildren of Boma Primary School in Mbarara Municipality, South Western Uganda about Environmental Conservation and techniques of planting tree in school compounds and homesteads.

ECOSEV Staff educating Primary School children in Coroma school in Mbarara District, Southwestern Uganda about climate change and food security

We understand the importance of the younger generation in the fight against future climate change (CC) effects. Our School-focused environmental education is key to promoting CC action. It helps young children understand the causes and effects of CC and empowers them with the essential knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to act as agents of change in adapting to and mitigating effects of CC.

ECOSEV Staff training women groups about conservation of environment and techniques of planting trees. It was conducted in Mitoma District, South Western Uganda.

There is more to good tree planting than just sticking a tree in the ground. Participating individuals must be aware of how to carry key activities including digging holes, adding manure, watering, weeding and continuous care. Women groups have been identified as a key group to promote climate action; they are mothers of our nations. Empowering them with needed knowledge and skills in conservation of our environment and tree planting is very vital.

An ECOSEV-organized workshop for local community leaders in Kashenshero sub-county, Mitooma district, south western Uganda about addressing issues of climate change and promoting food security.

ECOSEV Staff training community leaders in tree planning and climate change.

Part of our environmental education involves equipping local community leaders with essential knowledge and introducing a sense of purpose for climate change action including planting trees to mitigate climate change. After training them, we also task them to organize similar training programs for their community members as well as enforce environmental conservation policies and actions.

ECOSEV staff training some leaders of local communities adjacent to forest reserves on effects of encroachment on forest reserves and the importance of planting trees in their private lands.

A Stakeholders engagement Workshop organised by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and ECOSEV to review the current status of forest reserves the Mpanga Forest Sector, Central Uganda and to design strategies for their effective conservation.

A Stakeholders engagement workshop involving NFA and ECOSEV staff, district leaders, security officials and collaborating corporate partners was held to discuss strategies of addressing issues concerning conservation of the tropical rain forests in the Mpanga Forest Sector. As a result of the workshop, a deeper understanding of issues pertaining to sustainable management of the forests were established and suitable feasible and practical strategies of addressing the issues were developed.

An education and training meeting held in Parental Care secondary school, Mbarara district south western Uganda discussing how climate change affects food security and strategies of addressing the issue.

The issue of food security in Uganda can not be discussion without relating them to environmental conservation. We take it upon ourselves to train young people in understanding how illegal human actions have far reaching effects on the food security. This is why in our Environmental Education programs we reach out to school going children, train and equip them with right knowledge and skill about environmental conservation and food security.

ECOSEV staff engaging a local community in designing strategies of stopping illegal forest logging in Gangu Forest reserve, central Uganda.

Conservation Of Biomass Energy

One of the key goals of ECOSEV is to promote efficient use of biomass energy in households, schools and other institutions in order to reduce destruction of forests and other sources of biomass energy. The program also aims at mitigating climate change and improving on people’s livelihoods. ECOSEV has been exploring the types of cooking stoves used in selected institutions of learning and households in southwestern and central parts of Uganda.

Use of Improved Wood Fuel Stoves in Schools in Mbarara District South Western Uganda.

The most frequently used fuel wood technology remains the traditional open fire which, unfortunately waste fuel wood and produce a relatively high amount of smoke due to inefficient combustion. The resulting smoke contributes to green house gases and is associated with some health problems. However improved wood fuel stoves indicated in the image above use less fuel wood and thus cause less destruction of biomass sources. The improved stoves also produce less smoke than traditional open fire stoves. Consequently, improved cook stoves contribute to the mitigation of effects of climate change.

Use of Improved Wood Fuel Stoves in Schools in Mbarara District South Western Uganda.

Construction of Improved Wood Fuel Stoves in One of the Schools in Mbarara District South Western Uganda.

Use of Wood Fuel-Inefficient Stoves in Schools in Mbarara District South Western Uganda.

To date, compared to other uses, the world’s wood is mostly used for provision of fuel with hundreds of millions of people, especially the rural poor, completely reliant upon wood for energy provision. The used fuel wood is either in form of firewood or charcoal.

The most frequently used fuel wood technology remains the traditional open fire which, unfortunately waste fuel wood and produce a relatively high amount of smoke due to inefficient combustion. The resulting smoke contributes to green house gases and is associated with some health problems.

Use of Wood Fuel-Inefficient Stoves in Schools in Mbarara District South Western Uganda.

Addressing The Effects Of Climate Change

Climate change is one of the major threats to Uganda’s sustainable development and its efforts to end poverty in particular. The country has experienced increased adverse weather patterns such as prolonged droughts in the different parts of the country, frequent landslides in the east, and devastating floods in the south west. For example, the effects of climate change have led to low agricultural production and productivity consequently affecting food security.

Through sensitization, education, training and advocacy, ECOSEV believes there is an urgent need to engage different stakeholder including leaders and different levels and community at large to contribute to mitigating and adapting to effects of climate change.

The Impact of prolonged drought on pasture for livestock (goats and cattle) in Isingiro Western Uganda.

Agriculture is the leading source of livelihood in Uganda. However prolonged droughts in some parts of the country especially those in the cattle corridor such as Isingiro Districts have affected agriculture. ECOSEV is complimenting efforts from other stakeholders in enabling the affect communities adopt to the effects of prolonged droughts.

The impact of a prolonged drought on a maize and sorghum gardens in Isingiro district.

The Impact of a dry spell on animal husbandry in Isingiro District, Western Uganda

Agriculture is still no one source of livelihood in Uganda, however prolonged dry spells in some parts of the country like Isingiro Districts have created water shortages leading to low yields, famine, and hunger. The effects of a such long dry spell remain prevalent in where families even struggle to secure meals on a daily basis. Animals feed on dry grounds, acres of maize, beans and banana which were the main source of food and livelihood totally wither during such periods. ECOSEV believe there must be urgent practical solutions to help cope with such harsh effects of uncertain weather extremes caused by the short time scale weather variations in Uganda.

The impact of prolong drought on water sources for cattle in Isingiro District, South western Uganda

A water dam was dug up in Isingiro district, south western Uganda with the support from UNICEF to offset the impact of prolonged droughts on water sources.

Water Conservation

The supply of fresh, clean water is essential for daily usage in households, businesses, agriculture, and wildlife. ECOSEV continues to explore various sources of water in the south west and central regions of Uganda and how the water sources are being preserved.

Reduced water level of River Rwizi in Mbarara Municipality affected by prolonged dry spells within the region.

Besides the dry spells in the region as a result of climate change, River Rwizi has lost over 60 per cent of its water catchment due to destruction and degradation of the adjacent vegetation and poor agricultural practices. Furthermore, the remaining water is highly contaminated by poor sewage facilities from household and factories. ECOSEV has embarked on intensive community sensitization and stakeholders’ engagement on practical means of restoring and protecting River Rwizi’s 8,700 square kilometer catchment area.

A pit latrine constructed on the banks of River Rwizi Polluting its Waters with human waste.

ECOSEV staff inspecting an open channel draining sewage from nearby homesteads into River Rwizi, In Mbarara municipality, South western Uganda.

Encroachment on River Rwizi Banks by households for purposes of farming.

It is estimated that over 500 acres of River Rwizi Water catchment area has been lost to neighboring communities for farming and business activities like brick making, sand mining and factories.

Illegal brick making and sand mining activities taking place within River Rwizi water catchment area.

One of the Rivers in Mabira forest reserve where Griffin falls is located is currently being polluted by a nearby sugar factory.

Wastewater effluents from sugar factories and a molasses-based distillery has destroyed too much life in River Musamya and is ruining the ecosystem of the 120 square miles reserve forest that provides a living for about local communities and nurturing plant and animal biodiversity. As the ECOSEV team did an ecotourism survey within Mabira forests, we noted that River Musamya’s water can be seen to have turned black and full of pollutants which have left stones stained with greasy circulated like liquid as one does zip lining above it at griffin falls.

Rainwater harvesting in a homestead within Bushenyi District, South western Uganda.

As one way to conserve water sources, ECOSEV is doing a sensitization drive in household and schools within south western Uganda to engage in rainwater harvesting in their homes as a sustainable alternative source of water. It should be noted that most of these areas in southwester Uganda have been affected by climate change which causes natural sources to often dry up.

A spring in Mitoma District, South Western Uganda that supplies clean water to near by villages.

ECOSEV staff doing period surveys in rural areas of Uganda on the state of such natural, fresh water sources that offer water security to surrounding communities. During our outreach programs we also educate the community members on how to preserve these natural water source since most have dried up because of increased human activity around their catchments.

A reliable water source of water for human and livestock use in one of the crater lakes (Lake Rutoto) within Rubirizi district, south western Uganda.

A drought-affected water source that supports livestock farming drying up in South Western Uganda.

Livelihood Improvement and Smart Agriculture

Uganda like most of African countries, mainly depend of subsistence farming as a source of livelihood. However, with population increases and associated scarcity of land for agricultures, communities have embarked on encroachment of forests reserves and othe protected natural resources for survival. ECOSEV fronts a constant need to train, and empower communities with smart-agriculture practical skills and knowledge that can contribute to sustaining their livelihoods such as improving provide food security without destroying the environment.

ECOSEV staff training community leaders in Mitoma district, south western Uganda in smart agricultural practices which can increase banana yields

Community members in Mitoma District in South western Uganda discussing way of improving their banana farming practices.

ECOSEV staff training piggery farming to a women group in Mbarara district.

ECOSEV staff training piggery farming to a women group in Mbarara district.

An ECOSEV staff at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute exploring ways of utilising the institute to promote climate-smart agriculture in local communities.

An ECOSEV staff at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute discussing with research experts on how to promote banana farming in Uganda

An ECOSEV staff at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute discussing with research experts on how to promote cassava farming in Uganda

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

ECOSEV is very interested in promoting biodiversity conservation in Uganda with a particular emphasis on wildlife conservation. Recently it has embarked on exploring the effects of invasive plant species on abundance and distribution of large mammals in Queen Elizabeth Nation Park and its implication on tourism.

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OUR PROGRAMS

Research And Monitoring Programs.

CONSERVATION OF NATURAL TROPICAL FORESTS

Environmental Education and Tree Planting

Conservation Of Biomass Energy

Addressing The Effects Of Climate Change

Water Conservation

Livelihood Improvement and Smart Agriculture

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

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