Contributions of forests in Uganda

Positive contributions

• Source of timber for example from forests like Mabira, Budongo for local and foreign markets.
• Provide timber for construction industry
• Provide firewood and charcoal for domestic use in Kampala, Wakiso etc.
• Forests lake Mabira in Buikweinfluence microclimate of adjacent areas leading to rainfall in Mukono and Jinja.
• Contain animals such as gollira’s in Bwindi. These attract tourists leading to acquisition of foreign exchange
• Source of harbal medicine
• Absorb green house gases protecting the environment from desertification
• Source fruits, honey form Budongo forest etc which are highly nutrious
• Forests like Mabira provide emplyment to forest rangers, timber cutter, tourist guides etc.
• Source of government revenue through taxes and licences
• Source of recreation and relaxation
• Prevent soil erosion
• They are water catchment areas such for river semuliki,river Sezibwa etc.
• Promote development infrastructure like road network to facilitate movement of tourists and forest products.

Negative contribution

• Contain dangerous wild animals like leopards,
• Are misused by rebels that distabilize political climate e.g. in Kasese.

They hinder construction of roads such as Bwindi forest