Tree planting stakeholder analysis in the Ugandan Albertine rift

Abstract

Background: Trees provide ecosystem services, for example, by preserving soil fertility and sequestering carbon. They contribute 8.7 percent to Uganda’s national economy. Due to the ecosystem services trees provide, several stakeholders in Uganda have intervened to increase tree cover in the landscape. These stakeholders include; Ministry of water and Environment, National Forestry Authority, World vision Uganda (WVU) and licensed individual tree planters in forest reserves. The success of their interventions depends on several factors. Among these factors, probably, the least studied is the influence of different stakeholders in promoting tree planting. This paper assesses the different stakeholders in tree planting in Kiryanga Sub County, Albertine rift region, Uganda. Methods: The analysis was conducted in a stakeholder workshop to identify stakeholders’ potential roles, relationships, power and influence on tree planting. The stakeholder; register, analysisgrid, and matrix were respectively used to identify and categorize stakeholders. Results: The identified stakeholders were; community leaders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), government institutions, individual farmers and farmer groups. Farmers, Local Government (LG) CSOs; WVU and Uganda Rural Development and Training (URDT) were important stakeholders in tree planting. The LG will provide seedlings, train, and guide and mobilize farmers during tree planting. WVU will promote regenerating trees from stumps, roots, and naturally growing tree seedlings. URDT will sensitize and train farmers in tree planting. Farmers also have to be engaged with to provide land and labour for tree planting. Conclusion: Tree planting interventions ought to be implemented after thorough understanding and engagement of these key stakeholders.