Three Ugandan National Parks get FSC’s Forest Management Certificates

Uganda ranks as the 13th most-vulnerable country in the world to Climate Change. Worsening droughts
and flooding are exacerbating pre-existing socioeconomic challenges such as youth underemployment,
food insecurity, and loss of lives yet the country remains indebted to the Global North countries with no
climate relevant expenditure budget.
It is for this purpose that Uganda Wildlife Authority decided to put its small resource muscle into
biodiversity and environmental conservation to safeguard the nature against adverse effects of Climate
Change which efforts have been finally recognized globally by The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The
Forest Stewardship Council is an international non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization established in
1993 that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests.

While speaking to the press in Kampala, the Uganda Wildlife Authority Public Relations Manager, Bashir
Hangi representing the Executive Director Sam Mwandha said, ‘‘I am proud to inform you that Uganda is
the first country in Eastern Africa to certify national parks as an approach to strengthening
conservation.’’

This certification means that Uganda is now following environmentally sustainable, socially acceptable
and economically viable approaches to managing our protected areas on FSC standards.
Globally, certification on FSC standards has potential to increase any country’s tourism revenues and
benefits to the economy while at the same time, sustaining the protection of existing natural resources.
Ahead of Rwanda, Uganda has become the first country in Eastern Africa to get national park
certification for 211,000 hectares in September 2022 of forest land in Bwindi impenetrable national
park, Rwenzori and Kibale national park.
There’s always competition between Uganda and Rwanda when it comes to tourism and environmental
conservation but Uganda has won this one even before other tourist destinations in Tanzania, Kenya
among others.
Worldwide, more than 190 million hectares have been certified by FSC and in Africa, FSC has
membership in 24 countries and certified forests in 14 countries now including Uganda. Of the 624
million hectares of Africa’s forests, 9.5 million hectares have been certified by the FSC.

According to the Regional Director, Africa Dr. Peter Alele FSC has membership in 24 countries and
certified forests in 14 countries in the continent now including Uganda. Of the 624 million hectares of
Africa’s forests, 9.5 million hectares have been certified by the FSC. More than 190 million hectares have
been certified in the whole world.