FORESTRY INDUSTRY IN UGANDA

A forest is a close stand of trees that form a canopy or canopies on top.

Forestry refers to the management and harvesting of forest resource. The forests in Uganda play a major role in protecting the environment and in the economic development of the country.

Uganda has got two types of forests i.e. natural and artificial forests. The natural forests in Uganda are sub-divided into; tropical rainforests, mountain forests, woodlands and riverine forests.

The natural forests include; Mabira in Mukono district, Bugoma and Budongo in Masindi and Hoima, Kibale, Kalinju, Kitomi, Maramagambo, Mgahinga, Bwindi impenetrable, all in south and western Uganda, Zoka, Wiceri, Mt. Elgon forests, Mt. Rwenzori forests, etc.

Artificial forests include; Lendu in Nebbi, Kateera in Kiboga, Muko in Kabale, Ayere in Gulu, Rwomo in Ntugamo, Mafuga, Agwata, Abera, etc.

There also savannah woodlands especially in northern Uganda.

Status of the forestry industry

• Most of the country’s forest cover comprises natural forests.
• Savannah woodland forests are the most widespread forest types in the country.
• Most Uganda’s forests exist outside protected areas and on private land.
• There is high rate of deforestation of the natural forests like in Kyenjojo district.
• Some forests have been de-gazatted up to 23.6% like Namanve.
• The common planted tree species are pine and eucalyptus trees.
• All protected forests in the country are managed by National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
• The most deforested areas are those which are heavily settled and cultivated.
• Uganda loses her forest cover at a rate of 1.8% per year.
• Much of the deforestation occur in well stocked high forests and woodland forests at a rate of 2% per annum.
• The country’s forest cover now covers 7.4 million hectares, down from 50 million hectares in 1900 only 9% down from 11% in 1995.
• Government encouraging afforestation under Agro-forestry.

The following are the main protected forest reserves in Uganda;

Budongo Forest Reserve

The forest covers the districts of Hoima , Masindi and Buliisa  in Western Uganda and it is about three hours drive from Kampala City . The 825 square km forest reserve is located within the boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park.

Importance of the forest
It is the largest Mahogany forest in East Africa with an incredible biodiversity which includes over 24 small mammals, 9 primates, 465 species of trees, 360 species of birds, 289 species of butterflies, 130 species of moths among others.

Tourist sites
The tourist sites include Kaniyo Padidi  Ecotourism Site and   Busingiro Ecotourism Site.

Vegetation
The vegetation of the forest is mainly tropical forest and grassland.

Danger facing the forest
The continued existence of the forest for enjoyment by future generations is threatened by the high level of illegal pit sawing, illegal hunting and human encroachment on the forest reserve.

Bugoma Forest Reserve

Bugoma Forest Reserve gazetted in 1932 is located in Hoima District in Western Uganda and covers an area of 401km2.  It is found on top of an escarpment east of Lake Albert on the edge of the Western Rift Valley.

Vegetation
The vegetation of Bugoma Forest Reserve can be classified as medium altitude semi-deciduous forest and about half of the forested part of the reserve is occupied  by Iron wood (Cynometra alexandri). The forest is drained by four small rivers  namely Sonso, Waisoke, Wake and Bubwa which flow into Lake Albert.

Attractions
The forest is endowed with a high biodiversity with 24 species of mammals , 465 species of trees, 359 species of birds , 289 species of butterfly and 130 species of moths.( Forest Department 1996a). The mammals include   Monkeys, Chimpanzees, Buffaloes, Uganda Kobs and at times Elephants. Lake Albert and River Nkusi are also the major attractions. There are also Eco-tourism sites at Busingiro and Kaniyo Pabidi.

Encrochmet
There is a challenge of keeping the  encroachers who  have been evicted by the National Forestry Authority off the forest.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest which covers an area of 330 km2 is found in South Western Uganda in Kanungu District on the edge of Western Rift Valley. The forest is along the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and is 530 km from Kampala City. It is a forest in the Virunga Volcanoes mountain ranges.  .

Vegetation
Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest is a typical African Jungle with dense undergrowth, vines and other vegetation that make it almost ‘impenetrable’. The lowland rainforest and montane forest vegetation continuously struggles to reach heights that will allow it to receive more light. Huge trees are garlanded with creepers and parasitic plants. Giant thickets of bamboo thrive in the humid atmosphere.

Importance of the forest
The forest ,  a protected area ,  known as  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park  is  a home of over  half of the world’s population of highly endangered Mountain Gorillas. About  340 Bwindi Gorillas ,   360 bird species and a number of buttterfly species and  small mammals live in this national park.

Echuya Forest Reserve

Echuya Forest Reserve is located western Uganda in the districts of Kisoro and Kabale. The forest range runs between Lake Bunyonyi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Importance of the forest
The forest acts as the water catchment area for the wildlife and people living around the forest. It is home to over 150 species of birds eighteen of which are endemic to the reserve, including the globally threatened Gravers Swamp Warbler and 124 species of plants.

Vegetation
It has a high quality bamboo and the vegetation is mainly montane rainforest.

Attractions
It is a home of 150 species of birds, 19 small mammal species, bamboo woodland and montane rainforest.

Forest encroachment
The reserve is surrounded by densely populated areas with people encroaching on the forest for many purposes including agricultural purposes.

Ecotourism
National Forestry Authority is working with the Echuya community to develop eco-tourism and conserve nature in the forest reserve through the following actions;

• Application and promotion of sustainable forestry enterprises.
• Sharing of resources for implementation of mutually agreed upon activities.
• Formalizing arrangement for piloting a community based ecotourism activities within part of the buffer zone in Echuya Central Forest Reserve,
• Developing  enabling working environment and modalities to enhance joint planning and implementation of conservation interventions in Echuya Central Forest Reserve,
• Promoting Collaborative Management arrangement among interest parties to ensure the health of Echuya Central Forest Reserve to provide sustainable supply of forestry goods and services to the local forest-edge communities and the general public.

Kalinzu Forest Reserve

Kalinzu forest is in Busheyi District, 10 kilometres west of Ishaka Town on the main Mbarara to Kasese Highway. Kalinzu is a natural forest in Bushenyi District – western Uganda. Pitched on top of an escarpment on the eastern edge of the Great Albertine Rift Valley and the forest reserve is 147 Sq.Km adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Maramagambo Forest.

Kalinzu Forest lies at an average altitude of 1,400 m above sea level it covers 399 km2.

Importance of Kalinzu forest
Wildlife in the forest include  378 species of Birds such as the Great blue Turaco, Black and White Casqued hornbill, Cuckoos and Sun birds. It enjoys six different species of primates including the blue Monkeys and chimpanzees.

Vegetation
The Forest is famous for variety of species of trees and shrubs including the ficus, Prunus African, the Strobia and parinari.

Tourist sites
From the forest trails amazing views open up over the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward, the Kazinga Channel and the Congo. Visit the “old man of the hills”. Kalinzu forest is steeped in mysteries and rich with local legends. One can learn about the folk lore and uses of the forest from a local guide.

Tourist attractions in Kalinzu Forest Reserve

• Kalinzu forest offers visitors a choice of scenic guided walks along the ridges and valleys of the Rift Valley escarpment.
• Amazing views of  the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward, the Kazinga Channel and the Congo.
• Visit the “old man of the hills”. Kalinzu forest is steeped in mysteries and rich with local legends. Learn about the folk lore and uses of the forest from a local guide.
• The Forest is a home of  378 species of Birds such as the Great blue Turaco, Black and White Casqued hornbill, Cuckoos and Sun birds. It enjoys six different species of primates including the blue Monkeys and chimpanzees.
• Nocturnal primates like pottos , galagos,  owls and other animals that only emerge under the cover of darkness and listen to the errie shrieking of the tree hyrax.

Accommodation

• Campsite
• Homeland Hotel 10 km away from Ishaka.

Eco tourism site
Kalinzu forest reserve is an eco tourism site of natural forest teaming with 414 species of trees and shrubs, 378 species of birds such  Great Blue Turaco, Sun Birds and Black and White Casket. Six different species of primates are found here like Blue Monkey, Vervet Monkey, Black and White Colobus and Chimpanzees.

Kasyoha Kitomi Forest Reserve

Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest Reserve is located in Western Uganda, South of Lake George and Kazinga channel in the Albertine Rift eco-region and it covers an area of 392 Km2.

The forest borders Kanyambogo to the North, Kalinzu / Maramagambo Forest Reserves to the South-east, Kyamuhanga Tea Estate/Bitoma and Ndangaro parishes to the South, Rwanjere to the East and Kyambura Wildlife Reserve and Queen Elizabeth National Park to the west.

Importance
Home of different bird species with over 308 species
It is a water catchment area for Lake George which has many species of fish.

Vegetation
The vegetation of Kasyoha-Kitomi is medium altitude moist-evergreen forest with grassland.

Attractions

• Crater lakes namely Lakes  Kamunzuku, Kamweru and Kyema
• Primates that include; Chimpanzees, Baboons, Red Tailed Monkeys, Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys and Blue Monkeys.
• Lake George and Kazinga Channel
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Mammals like Antelopes, Bush Pigs and Duikers which is as aresult of its being adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Birds, Butterflies, Reptiles, Moths, Water Falls and Gorges.

Kibale Forest Reserve

Kibale Forest with an area of 760 km2 is located in western Uganda and is 26km from Fort Portal Town.

Importance of Kibale Forest Reserve
The forest is a home to many species of wildlife  which include elephants, leopards,  chimpanzees, Olive Baboons, Black and white Colobus, blue monkeys, the grey cheeked mangabeys, red tailed monkeys, pottos and bush babies, bufferflies, reptiles along with amphibians.

Vegetation
The dominant vegetation is rainforest interspersed with patches of grassland and swamps. All the vegetation types are rich with flora and fauna. It is a home of ancient trees growing up to 55m in height.

Attractions

• The forest is a home of primates including Chimpanzees as well as the black and white colobus, red tailed monkey and grey cheeked mangabey. A community of chimpanzees has been habituated since 1991.There are over 375 species of birds for those who are bird lovers.
• There are over 70 mammal’s species and over 250 species of butterflies that are present in the forest. The forest is also home to East Africa’s largest population of the threatened red colobus and the rare I’Hoest’s monkey.

Lutoboka and Bunjazi Forest Reserves

Found on the legendary Ssese Islands, these forests are described as medium altitude moist forests. They form a belt along the Lake and the lower ridges with a gentle slope from the lake Shore to the center.

A trail of repute here is the one that stretches from Lutoboka landing site up to the Fort where explorer Henry Morton Stanley pitched camp on his way to the famous snow capped legendary Mountains of the Moon.

Lutoboka Forest Reserve is 378 Ha while Bunjazi Forest Reserve is 80 Ha and is a natural habitat for rare and endemic Monkeys, birds and butterflies.

Activities:

Bird watching, forest walks and butterfly identification.

Mabira Forest

The forest is located in Bwikwe  District  54 km  on the Kampala/Jinja Highway and only 20  km from Jinja. It is one of the last remaining rain forest and biggest in Central Uganda. The forest covers a total area of 300sq km. It has been a protected forest since 1932. It is a home of many endangered species of trees and primates and the only remaining forest within easy reach of the urban  areas of Kampala, Jinja and Entebbe.

Deforestation plans
The Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited jointly  owned  by the Government of Uganda and by the Mehta Group  has put a request to government to be allowed to clear one-third of the Mabira Forest  for sugarcane plantations . This will involve the  government  de-gazetting  the land and transferring  it to SCOUL. The government has far supported this plan.

The deforestation plans have been disputed within Uganda and  by the  environmentalists, The environmentalists fear the loss of hundreds of endangered species, increased erosion, the damage of livelihoods of local people and negative impacts on water balance and regional climate. The cabinet paper indicate the project  would generate 3,500 jobs and contribute  to the treasury.

The Kabaka of Buganda is opposed to the   deforestation plans and has offered alternative land for sugarcane production. The Anglican church of Mukono has also offered land

However the recent statements from the  government indicate that the plan of  de-gazetting  the land has not yet been shelved.

Tourist activities

• Specialty bird watching,
• Environmental Education (Study Tours)
• Camping
• Nature wallk

Location
The forest is located in Bwikwe  District  54 km  on the Kampala/Jinja Highway and only 20  km from Jinja. It is one of the last remaining rain forest and biggest in Central Uganda. The forest covers a total area of 300nsq km. It has been a protected forest since 1932.Wildlife and environment
It is a home of many endangered species of trees and primates and it is biggest remaining rain forest in Central Uganda.

Deforestation plans
The Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited jointed owned  by the Government of Uganda and by the Mehta Group planned to clear one-third of the Mabira Forest  for sugarcane plantations, and had proposed to the government to de-gazette this land and transfer it to SCOUL. The government has far supported this plan.

The deforestation plans have been disputed within Uganda and  by the  environmentalists, The environmentalists fear the loss of hundreds of endangered species, increased erosion, the damage of livelihoods of local people and negative impacts on water balance and regional climate. The cabinet paper indicate the project  would generate 3,500 jobs and contribute  to the treasury.

The Kabaka of Buganda is opposed to the   deforestation plans and has offered alternative land for sugarcane production. The Anglican church of Mukono has also offered land

In May 2007, the Ugandan Environmental minister announced that the deforestation plans were suspended and that the government is trying to find alternative land for the Mehta Group.

Maramagambo Forest

Maramagambo Forest is located in Bushenyi District and is 376 km from Kampala City,  the capital of Uganda. The forest lies in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) in western Uganda.

Vegetation
The vegetation of the forest includes tropical forest, medium altitude moist and semi-deciduous forest. The forest is among the largest forests in Uganda.

Importance of the Forest
The forest also houses the largest population of Chimpanzees in East Africa.

Attractions

• Mammals including chimpanzees, red-tailed monkey, giant forest hog, potto, bush baby, baboons, pygmy antelope, yellow-backed duiker, giant elephant shrew and L’Hotse’s monkey.
• Bird species including Dark capped yellow wabler, fawn breasted waxbill, black headed batis, sulphur breasted bush shrike, bat hawk, red tailed bristle bill African green pigeon and Ross’s turaco.
• The forest has lakes and craters.
• The forest is a home of many species of butterflies and moths
• It is a home of bats.

Mpanga Forest Reserve

It is a compact forest located near Mpigi Town 37 km from Kampala City  on the Kampala Masaka Highway. It has been a protected facility since 1953 as a scientific research site. The forest occupies an area of 45 sq km.

Importance of the forest
The forest is recorded to have over 500 tree and shrub species. Some trees in the forest are estimated to be over 100 years. The average height and size of some trees is quite impressive,  It has over 200 bird species and  including the following animals:

• Bushbuck
• Red tailed monkey
• Flying squirrels

There are also several species of butterflies within the forest.

Tourist activities
A visitor can do any of the following activities:

• Hill climbing
• Forest walk
• Walk trails
• Guided visits to Kiganda shrines

Mount Elgon Forest Reserve

Mount Elgon Forest Reserve is located in eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya.  The forest covers over covers 1,110 km2 and it is found on the slopes of Mount Elgon, a 4,321m high extinct volcano which geologists believe had its last eruption close to 10 million years ago.

Importance
Mount Elgon Forest Reserve is important water catchment. Its forests receive up to 3000 mm of rain each year, which they store and release to support flora, fauna and more than a million Ugandans. Elgon’s water is equally important to many Kenyans, for Mount Elgon is bisected by the international boundary.  It is an Important area for bird species conservation.

Vegetation
The forest support a rich variety of vegetation ranging from montane forest to high open moorland studded with the giant lobelia and groundsel plants. The vegetation varies with altitude. The mountain slopes are covered with olive Olea hochstetteri and Aningueria adolfi-friedericii wet montane forest.

Tourist attractions

Flora and fauna in Mount Elgon Forest Reserve
The ascent of Mount Elgon Forest Reserve passes through a series of roughly concentric vegetation zones. The lower slopes of the mountain are intensively farmed up to the park boundary. The first zone of natural vegetation is montane forest which runs from the park boundary up to 2500m.

This is followed by bamboo and low canopy forest (2400 – 3000m), then high montane heath (3000 – 3500m) which includes the giant heather (Phillipea excelsia) growing up to 6m tall. Above 3500m, cold temperatures and fierce winds force the heather to give way to open moorland and above 3800m, dramatic Aro alpine vegetation is found among tussock grasslands.

Wildlife
Mount Elgon Forest Reserve supports a variety of wildlife including elephant, buffalo, Defassa’s waterbuck, oribi, bushbuck, leopard and spotted hyena.

Birds
The mountain is home to 296 birds including 40 restricted range species like Jackson’s francolin, moustached green tinker bird, and black collared apalis.

Accommodation
The forest reserve provides dormitory accommodation and self contained wooded cottages at the Forest Exploration Centre at Katakwai. Meals are available on request. The forest reserve also has self catering guesthouse at Kapchorwa and Budadiri. A range of accommodation is found around the scenic sipi Falls and and in Mbale Town.

Encroachment on the Forest.
The was Encroachment on Mt Elgon forest reserve but the research shows that, has been halted on the orders of the Tourism, Trade and Industry minister.The minister directed all resident district commissioners, operating along the districts bordering Mt Elgon forest reserve, to apprehend persons that are forcefully destroying the forest and uprooting the boundary pillars.

Rwenzori Mountain Forest Reserve

Rwenzori Mountain forest reserve which covers 996 km2 is situated western Uganda in the Bundibugyo, Fort portal, and Kasese Districts. It is 25 km from the Kasese Town.

Importance of the forest
Rwenzori Mountain Forest Reserve is an important water catchment area giving rise to numerous streams that supply water to the surrounding communities as well as maintaining the flow of water to lakes Edward, George and Albert.

Vegetation
The vegetation ranges of the forest include grassland, tropical forests (montane forest), bamboo zone, heather zone and afro-alpine moorland zone.

Attractions
The main attractions include over 70 mammal species, 182 birds species, different species of butterflies and moths.

Sango Bay Forest Reserve

The Sango Bay Forest Reserve with an area of 578 km2 is located on the shores of L. Victoria in Rakai District in Uganda.  The forest is part of the Minziro Sango Bay swamp that lies on the border of Tanzania and Uganda at the western shores of Lake Victoria. It is the only extensive swamp forest in Uganda.

Importance of the forest
The forest is a home of Sango Bay wetland, Kagera wetland and Flood Plain which acts as water catchment area. The forest  has 331 species of vascular plants belonging to 88 families of these 122 are herbs, epiphytes or hemi-epiphytes belonging to 35 families; 68 lianas belonging to 38 families and 141 trees and shrubs belonging to 42 families.

Vegetation
Sango bay represents a unique natural wetland with vegetation like herbaceous swamps with palms and seasonally flooded grassland.

Attractions

• The forest’s attractions include huge flocks of water birds, endangered mammals such as Elephant, Black and White Colobus Monkey and a sub-species of the Blue Monkey.
• The site is also a breeding ground for several fish species.
• The site contains Stone Age artifacts, internationally known as the Sangoan industry, which dates to about 200,000 years ago.

GENERAL IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS IN UGANDA

The importance of forests in Uganda can be categorized into two i.e. productive importance and protective importance.

• Forests protect against erosion i.e. the leaves of the trees break the force of rain drops before they reach the ground. Also the fallen leaves help to mulch the soil hence protecting it from erosion like those on Elgon slopes.
• Tree roots bind the soil particles together making them less liable to erosion. Also tree branches act as wind breakers hence reduce the strength of wind that would have carried the top soil like on Mt. Rwenzori.
• Forests facilitate the formation of rainfall through the process of evapo-transpiration. This has led to rainfall in areas where forests are found like in Mabira-Mukono. Such rainfall has facilitated the growth of sugar canes at Lugazi sugar estate.
• Forests provide a habitat for wild animal and birds, protecting the rare species of animals such as gorillas in Bwindi that has boosted tourism industry for jobs to Ugandans.
• Forests help to prevent desertification through modification of the climate as they form rainfall in the process of evapo-transpiration like in Mabira-Mukono which in turn has favored tea growing at Kasaku.
• Trees provide oxygen in atmosphere and absorb carbon dioxide which reduces global warming. Forests like Mabira have absorbed pollutions from Namanve and Jinja industries.
• Forests like Budongo and Kalinju provide fuel in form of biomass in terms of fire wood and charcoal used for both industrial and domestic purpose. Industries like bakeries, brick laying factories like in Kajjansi use fire wood from Ssese forests.
• Timber derived from the forests such as Ssese and Mabira is used for a variety of purposes. Foristance making furniture, paper and pulp, matches, construction purpose, all of economic importance to Uganda through job provision and revenue to the government.
• Forests like Aber and Agwata provide poles for telephone and rural electrification. Eucalyptus tree poles are usually used, and also for construction purpose. This has led to increased industrialization in Uganda.
• Tropical rain forests of Mabira, Mgahinga and Bwindi act as tourist attraction potentials and this promotes the tourism industry thus earning foreign exchange for further development.
• Provision of employment opportunities as lumbermen in saw mills, forest rangers, officials in the tourist industry, furniture makers, etc. such Ugandans earn a lot of incomes improving on their standards of living.
• Forests contributes to the clean environment by reducing pollution of all types especially Mabira in Namanve industrial area i.e. absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. This increases the quality of life of Ugandans.
• Forests like mabira and Wiceri provide medicine in form of herbs that help to cure several diseases like moringa tree products, cinchona and aloe Vera which all cure diseases. This has improved on the life span of Ugandans.
• Forests like Kibale and Bugoma are source of food products such as fruits, honey, mashrooms, bee wax and gum. Also wild coffee is harvested mainly in Kibale forests and sold for cash. This improves on the incomes of Ugandans.
• Forests like Mabira and Ssese are used for research and study purpose by scholars of higher institutions. Foristance Makerere University uses forests for research.
• Forests are catchment areas for rivers as well as contributing rainfall into river channels. Forinstance Mt. Elgon forests Support River Manafa and Masaba. This helps to support aquatic life hence development of the fishing industry.
• Forests provide a good environment for recreation through picnics, hunting and beach games like at Botanical beach forests in Entebbe. This support tourism for foreign exchange.
• Forests are source of government revenue as well as foreign exchange from exportation of bamboo poles to Germany. The exchange is used for further development.
• Summary of positive importance i.e. Contributes gross domestic products, source of energy, provides valuable timber, yields valuable medicine, raw materials for art and craft industry, source of food (fruits), employment opportunities, income, revenue, urban growth around saw mills, promotes industrialization, foreign exchange, habitat for game/wildlife, tourist attraction, research promotion, catchment areas for rivers, positive modification of climate, protect soils from erosion, diversify the economy, promotes environmental purification, soil conservation through agro-forestry, act as wind breakers, promotes infrastructural development.

Short comings of forests include;

• Most forests like Malabigambo in southern Uganda do not appear in pure stand due to a variety of tree species they posses thus making their exploitation, felling and selection of logs difficult.
• Forests do habour dangerous pests and diseases like mosquitoes and tsetse flies. Also snakes and lions are a threat to forest exploitators.
• Thick forests like Bwindi impenetrable act as a barrier to communication especially in construction and maintenance of roads through the forest. This explains why some parts of Kisoro are remote.
• Summary: promotes remoteness, habit dangerous animals, habit pests and diseases, hide out for wrong doers, promotes drying of wetlands, hinder road construction, accidents are common during exploitation, etc.

FACTORS THAT HAVE LIMITED THE EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL FORESTS IN UGANDA

• Some forests like Marabigambo and Mafuga are located in remote and inaccessible areas especially during rainy seasons. This makes transportation and labor mobility for exploitation of the forest hard.
• The heavy rains received in such forests of Mabira and Budongo contribute to the outbreak of pests and diseases like mosquitoes and tsetse flies which are a threat to lumbermen.
• Tropical rain forests grow buttress roots which hinder effective felling of trees. Also trees are inter-connected by strong creepers and tree climbers. This makes tree felling difficult like in Ssese forests.
• The valuable tree species in forests like Maramagambo, Budongo and Mabira do not appear in pure stand. This makes it difficult in selection and felling of valuable tree species such as mahogany, ebony and mvule.
• Inefficient handling facilities after the logs have been felled. Lumbermen use manual rifting of logs to the nearest transportation centre like in Budongo forest.
• Shortage of capital to invest in the forestry industry for purchasing modern machines like electric saws, tractors to exploit big forests like Budongo and Bugoma. Few investors today have invested in the forestry industry since the business is less profitable.
• Limited market of Uganda’s timber since it is hard wood timber. These face a lot of competition from foreign countries with soft wood products.
• Inefficient transport networks to transport forestry products to market centres. Roads are destroyed by heavy rains within the forested areas.
• Shortage of skilled labour and managerial skills in the forestry industry to exploit forests like Kalinju and Bwindi. The unskilled labourers lead to felling of young trees.
• Floods especially during rainy seasons like by river Sezibwe in Mabira forest make its utilization difficult.
• The increasing population like in kibale has encroached on forest reserves for settlement and agricultural purpose. This is evident in kibale forest reserve.
• Political instabilities has affected exploitation of forests like the ADF affected Rwenzori forests and Mt. Kei and Otze in the north affected by LRA rebels.
• Steep slopes on mountains like Elgon and Rwenzori limit access to such forests for exploitation.also forests like maramagambo located in lowlands with soft soils limit transport facilities for exploitation.
• Inadequate research to identify and exploit trees of commercial value in Budongo, Bugoma and other forests. There is also limited modern technology to exploit forests and the use of primitive tools like axes cannot support commercial exploitation.