|
Citizen Posts
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Nyeko Hillary
The Natural Resources Committee, led by Chairman Ariko Edmund Herbert, held a baraza in Omoro District, where the success of the National Forestry Authority’s (NFA) efforts in restoring Opit Forest Reserve was showcased.
The 3-hectare demonstration area, planted with teak trees in 2008 after the LRA insurgency, was highlighted as a testament to the collaborative work between internally displaced people and NFA, according to Ojja Michael Vulou, NFA’s Achwa Range Manager.
“When I arrived here, I saw the teak trees, and I am satisfied with NFA’s work in northern Uganda,” said Chairman Ariko, emphasizing the need for collective action to address forestry encroachment and harness environmental benefits.
Geoffrey Feta, an MP from Ayivu County, and other committee members, including Biggirwa Norah Nyendohwa (Buliisa District Woman MP), David Karubanga (Kigorobya, Hoima), Senwanga Gyaviira (Tebandeke, Baale County), Fredrick Angura (Tororo Sub-County), and Musana Eric (Kagadi), echoed this sentiment.
Fredrick Angura highlighted the importance of integrating tree planting into daily life: “As the forest grows, we should also grow trees in our compounds, and NFA should supply seedlings for wood to provide social and economic benefits.”
The baraza also heard from local tree planters from two cities and 15 districts in northern Uganda, who stressed the importance of NFA. “NFA has been very useful, creating a symbiotic relationship where the forest helps us, and we benefit,” said Dina Ajok, a member of a Collaborative Forest Management group.
As the meeting concluded, there was a strong call to empower NFA further, either as an independent agency or as a full Ministry of Forestry, to ensure continued environmental and community development.
