Assessing timber processing and benefits in the peri-urban timber yards of Bwaise, Kampala

Abstract

The demand for timber and timber products has shown a growing trend in Uganda, as indicated by several factors including mushrooming of timber processing firms, government and institution capital investment in timber processing. However, there is limited information on of timber processing industry in peri-urban areas of Uganda. This study sought to assess timber processing and benefits in the peri urban areas of Bwaise, Kampala. Specifically, the study; i) identified the tree species and their sources ii) characterized timber processing in Bwaise iii) determined the factors that favor timber processing in Bwaise and iv) identified the perceived socio ecological effects of timber processing on the society and the environment in Bwaise. In order to achieve this, a cross-sectional survey of timber yards in Bwaise was undertaken among40 purposively selected respondents. Data was descriptively and thematically analyzed. Results showed that major tree species were obtained from planted forests while the hard wood trees were obtained from the natural forests, timber processing in Bwaise is dominated by males and its carried out in an orderly way which involves the use of low technology. Results also showed that timber processing in Bwaise is favored by the presence of space, continuous supply of raw materials, capital and savings and limited restrictions in the timber yards. It was also further revealed that timber processing had impacts on the health of the workers as well as the society.It is concluded that timber processing in Bwaise is still underdeveloped and has both positive and negative effects on the society and environment especially noise and air pollution. It is also recommended that the government of Uganda invests more capital to improve timber processing in the timber yards of Bwaise as well as put into place processes to realize better organization and public safety.