EU Pledges €48mln for forestry restoration in Uganda
The announcement was made by the Head of the EU Delegation to Uganda, Ambassador Jan Sadek, during a recent meeting with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at her office in Kampala
KAMPALA, May 16, 2025 — The European Union [ EU ] has committed at least €48 million [approximately Shs 160 billion] to support forest conservation efforts in Uganda.
The announcement was made by the Head of the EU Delegation to Uganda, Ambassador Jan Sadek, during a recent meeting with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at her office in Kampala.
Ambassador Sadek expressed appreciation for the strong political commitment and the longstanding partnership between Uganda and the EU in the forestry sector.
“The EU is contributing €40 million to this initiative, with an additional €8 million from Denmark,” said Sadek, highlighting the critical role of forest preservation in global efforts to combat climate change.
Prime Minister Nabbanja reaffirmed President Museveni’s stance on the importance of prioritising value-added forest products over the export of raw timber.
“This vision is not only vital for the sustainability of our forests but also key to transforming Uganda’s economy. The EU, through its ongoing support and collaboration, continues to play a strategic role in shaping the future of our forestry sector. We look forward to building on this partnership in the years ahead,” she said.
Nabbanja also voiced her confidence that sustained collaboration with the EU and other development partners would help unlock the full potential of Uganda’s forest resources.
The Uganda-EU Forest Partnership Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] was originally signed on 8 November 2022 during the UNFCCC COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. It was further strengthened with a roadmap signed on 29 June 2023.
The MoU includes commitments to improving forestry governance and promoting the sustainable use and management of forest resources.
The €40 million EU grant will play a pivotal role in supporting initiatives such as forest restoration, combatting the trafficking of forest products, and developing both timber and non-timber value chains.
According to data from Global Forest Watch, Uganda lost at least 37.6 thousand hectares of natural forest in 2023, underscoring the urgent need to accelerate efforts to halt deforestation and restore forest cover.
The meeting was also attended by Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Francis Mwebesa, Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Peter Lokeris, and State Minister for Energy, Okasai Opolot, along with other technical officials.
https://thecooperator.news/eu-to-blacklist-just-four-countries-under-deforestation/
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