Makerere University champions drive to protect shea nut tree in Greater North

Makerere University’s Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism has launched a campaign to protect the shea nut tree in Otuke District and other shea parkland areas.

Prof John Bosco Okullo said the target is to ‘Promote, Plant and Protect’ the tree as well as to mobilise all stakeholders in its value chain to get involved in the campaign to protect the tree from extinction.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries partnered with Makerere University to mark the World Shea Tree Day in Otuke on August 16, aimed at raising awareness about the value of the tree and the need to protect it.

The day was marked under three pillars – ‘Promote, Plant and Protect’. It attracted stakeholders from Lango, Acholi and the West Nile sub-regions.

Agriculture State Minister Fred Kyakulaga represented the ministry at the event, hosted at Orum Primary School.

Makerere’s Prof Okullo said they would take a long-term view to this campaign.

The shea nut tree is highly valued by northern communities, not only for the economic and dietary value of the cooking-oil, but also for a whole range of other products.

Guru Nanak Oil Mills, which makes shea nut butter from Lira City, said the product boosts skin moisture, is anti-inflammatory and heals broken skin, among other benefits.

In 2019, Uganda Export Promotions Board announced it would start promoting the export of products from the tree, which thrives most in northern Uganda.

In the past, wars in that part of the country disrupted the multiplication of the tree but officials said they would bank on the prevailing peace to promote the crop.

The wars also caused the destruction of many of these trees, said former Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Otuke, Robert Abak.

“People started cutting down the shea tree for charcoal but when the war stopped the President directed that the tree should be protected for its benefits,” he said.

Abak who is now the Nebbi RDC, said the population in both northern and eastern Uganda should guard the tree jealously.