PREFACE
The Uganda forestry outlook study is a concise account of the general direction of development of the forestry sector in 2020. It outlines the current status and trends as well as the vision of the forestry sector in Uganda in the year 2020. It designed to critically examine the internal and external factors influencing the forestry sector, assess their implications, construct future scenarios and formulate a national vision for the forestry sector in the year 2020. The process is participatory, involving major stakeholders from government departments as well as from the private sector and non-governmental organizations.
The Uganda forestry outlook study feeds into the forestry outlook study for east African sub region that will in turn contribute to the production of the final product, the Forestry outlook for the year 2020 also known as FOSA. The study is an analysis of the future potential of the forestry sector to contribute to the well being of the African citizen through it’s economic, social and environmental functions. It analyses the status, trends and driving forces shaping African forestry. The primary objective of FOSA is to serve the development needs of the forestry sector in Africa. FOSA strives to identify policies, programs and investment options that will drive the forestry sector in a desirable direction. It aims at providing a framework and focus for investment in Africa. FOSA intends to provide lending institutions; investors, development partners and the private sector a basis for review of their forestry portfolios.
FOSA was initiated by FAO at the request of the African countries through the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC) at their 11th meeting held in Dakar, Senegal in April 1998. FAO is working in collaboration with African Development Bank and European Commission in the development of FOSA. FAO continues to seek the participation of other institutions such as World Bank, IGAD, SADC, non-governmental organizations and the private sector in the implementation of FOSA.