Roadside tree planting and the Uganda experience Mutemo

Roadside tree planting and the Uganda experience Mutemo Charles Head of Environment Unit Ministry of Works and Transport

Outline • INTRODUCTION • WHAT WENT WRONG • GENERAL BENEFIT FROM ROAD SIDE TREE PLANTING • CURRENT INITIATIVES IN UGANDA • CHALLENGES • RECOMMENDATIONS Oct-20

Background • In Uganda, tree planting along roads dates far back to the colonial days when Kangugulu promoted planting of trees in Eastern Uganda, along roads • Kakungulu is the great grandfather of tree planting campaigns in Uganda • Semei Kakungulu, a warrior and tribal leader • Born in 1868 in Kooki in Rakai, Kakungulu rose to the King’s court because of his intelligence and obedience. During his term in eastern Uganda, he became the king of Bukedi. • Later, he was transferred to Busoga where he established himself as the King of the semi-independent states. • By 1920 he had retired to Gangama hill in Mbale. Oct-20

Background Tirinyi-Mbale and Mbale-Bududa Road in Nabumali. Old Jinja -Kampla road via the First Bridge 4

What was done on Tirinyi-Mbale and Mbale-Bududa Road in Nabumali • First the branches were cut off, • Secondly the roots were dug out of the ground; • Finally the trunks are felled; and • The wood was frequently used for firewood, burning bricks and in some cases for charcoal. Oct-20

What went wrong Invasion of Kisi Tribe from Kenya Moving from mud to burnt brick houses

What went wrong Booming timber market in Kenya Poor enforcement

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ROADSIDE TREE PLANTING IS NOT IMPLEMENTED Unpaved roads provide an almost inexhaustible supply of dust

Effects of dust 1) Reduced photosynthesis leading to loss of plant yield; 2) Increased pest and disease incidence causing yield losses and reduced quality of horticultural produce; 3) Dust contamination reducing fruit production and vegetable attractiveness; 4) Dust hindering the pollination of small seeded fruits by insects causing flower abortion and deformed fruit. 9

Effects of dust 5) Health related issues; 6) Visual impacts; and 7) Un comfort. 10

Benefit of Road. Side Tree planting • Reduces the impact of air pollution and dust as trees and shrubs are known to be natural sink for air pollutants; • Provide much needed shade on glaring hot roads during hot seasons through moderating the effect of wind and incoming radiation; • It arrests soil erosion at the embankment slopes; • Conserve our road reserves using a strategy that makes them retains their cultural and environmental heritage values in accordance with the provisions of the Road Act; and • Provide a compensatory role for destroyed vegetation during road construction. 11

Benefit of Road Side Tree planting • Trees slowly, absorb, and clean water that runs off the roads, resulting in reduced soil erosion, flood control and cleaner water supplies; • Reduction of GHG emission; and • Transportation enhancements help build our state and local economies by: Minimizing necessary roadside maintenance. a. Supporting tourism. 12

Current initiatives AT NATIONAL LEVEL 1. Uganda National Roads Authority • Responsible for national roads which is about 20, 000 km 2. Ministry of Works and transport • Trial contracts; • Pilot projects; and • Special road project, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS 1. Districts • Responsible for district roads; 2. Urban Authorities • Responsible for urban roads 3. Sub Counties • Responsible for community access roads OTHERS • Faith based organisation • Big plantation farms • Private people 13

UNRA Green Right of Way (GROW) Programme • i. Nurturing phase – 90% progress (UNRA Stations that have been able to establish tree banks); • ii. Planting phase – 70% progress (stations which have been able to transplant ready tree saplings to the road reserves); • iii. Maintenance phase – 90% progress (Trees that have been planted and maintained); and • iv. Road Network Coverage – 3% progress (Roads that have been planted successfully) 14

UNRA EVIDENCE Tree Bank and transporting tree Seedlings for planting Some trees planted

Mo. WT Programme Trees were planted on the Hima – Kikorongo road section (in 2004) that was rehabilitated with support of a loan from the World Bank. This was a pilot scheme for tree planting along the national roads with the sole purpose of mitigating the negative environment effects caused by road construction such soil erosion, protection of the road right of way and improving aesthetics along the national road corridor 16

Mo. WT EVIDENCE Local Trees plated At Hima Cement. Natural trees not cut Some trees planted On one of the pilot project (LCS)

SOME EVIDENCE ON PRIVATE ROADS One of the private access in Lugazi to the church One of the road for Metha in Lugazi

Challenges Knowing is not enough, We must APPLY. Willing is not enough, We must DO.

Challenges • Tree management related issues • Ownership issues • Resource allocation 20

Recommendation To make it Possible Says Joint Effort 21

• Thank you!!!

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