The youths from Bakwonga clan have taken up efforts to conserve Kwonga forest founded by their parents in the 1970s foreseeing events that have come to pass as many appear to be around the corner.
Frank Kaahwa one of the young members of the clan with knowledge of forestry says they have started shifts to patrol the forest against encroachers that include hunters and those looking for construction poles.
“I sensitise my fellow youth and the general community about the importance of conserving environment. I try to share the knowledge I attained while at Nyabyeya Forestry College with clan members and the other communities to conserve forests”, says Kaahwa.
To Catherine Kemigisa, the forest is far much better than money and exchanging the Kwonga natural forest for anything could be a lifelong disaster to livelihoods in the area.
Steven Nyakoojo, one of the clan leaders says conservation of the forest has made their clan a model of conservation.
He says the forest is also pivotal towards promoting their culture through acquisition of raw materials for weaving and production of mats and baskets that make an important component of culture.
These materials are increasingly becoming scarce in areas where forests and wetlands have been badly degraded.
Alex Obonyo, the Kisindi Sector Manager for the National Forestry Authority (NFA), welcomes any efforts to conserve private forests.
NFA reports indicate that 70 per cent of the forested land in Uganda is under private ownership which makes regulating degradation very complex.
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This package is compiled with support from Global Greengrant Fund (GGF).
