Assessment of the condition of Collaborative Forest Management groups around Budongo Central Forest Reserve.

Abstract

Collaborative Forest Management plays a critical role in Uganda’s forests by protecting critical biodiversity and are central to the country’s economy and people’s livelihoods therefore this study is aimed at assessing the condition of collaborative forest management groups in Uganda to elaborate their functionality and effectiveness. The objectives of the study were to examine the framework, composition and operations of the CFM groups followed by assessing the benefits obtained by the CFM groups and lastly to examine the challenges faced by the groups and how to overcome them. Data were collected using qualitative methods. A total of 60 respondents including key informants and stakeholders were selected and interviewed from both CFM groups and NFA for the purpose of study using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS to show dynamics of how CFM groups effectively function, successes obtained, difficulties faced and solutions to be undertaken. The results showed that forest patrol and firewood collection were the most activities carried out by CFM groups and most of the income was obtained occassionally since most of their activities were based on voluntary action and there was still a challenge of little/lack of capacity building, motivation allowances, PPE provision and limited participation in decision making. It is concluded that CFM approaches in Uganda have failed to enable equitable access to forest resources and to contribute for the sustainable livelihood of CFM members. It is recommended that collaborative planning, continuous consultation, regular meetings, trainings, workshops and integrating sustainable livelihood strategies would increase sustainable practice of CFM.