William S. Gombya-Ssembajjwe

Understanding the Stability of Forest Reserve Boundaries in the West Mengo Region of Uganda

Despite heavy pressure and disturbance, state property regimes have stemmed deforestation within protected areas of the West Mengo region of Uganda for over 50 yr. In this manuscript, we reconstruct the process of creation and maintenance of forest reserve boundaries in the West Mengo region of Uganda to identify why these boundaries have largely remained stable over the long term under conditions in which they may be predicted to fail. The dramatic boundary stability in West Mengo we attribute to key aspects of institutional design and enforcement of boundaries.

Early Detection of Tropical Forest Degradation: an IFRI Pilot Study in Uganda

Early detection of forest degradation may help to compensate for the time-lag that often exists between recognition of poor stewardship and the policy-changes required to mitigate such negative impacts. We report here on an International Forestry Resources and Institutions (IFRI) pilot study in Uganda.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS FROM EUCALYPTUS WOODLOTS: THE CASE OF MUKONO DISTRICT IN UGANDA

ABSTRACT The concept of entitlement has been used to show how different social actors access and negotiate for goods and services from natural resources. Although Eucalyptus tree species are perceived to generate adverse environmental impacts, they make an invaluable contribution to rural peoples livelihoods. This study examined the socio-economic importance of Eucalyptus woodlots in Mukono district, Uganda, using the entitlements framework. Data were collected employing a questionnaire survey of randomly selected households. PRA tools were also used to supplement questionnaire data. The results indicate that Eucalyptus woodlots provided both environmental and exchange entitlements to the local people. The environmental entitlements included firewood, medicinal collections, plant foods, fodder for livestock and Eucalyptus seeds. The exchange entitlements were paid labour for land preparation, planting, tending and harvesting of trees, and trading in Eucalyptus seeds, firewood and poles. Although the woodlots are private property, they provide local people with various forms of exchange and environmental entitlements that enhance livelihoods. The policy implication is that increased private forest farming can provide both social and environmental goods, improve rural livelihoods and thus help to reduce pressure on the natural forests.

ILLEGAL RESOURCE USE AND RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE FROM KARUMA WILDLIFE RESERVE IN UGANDA

ABSTRACT Provision of land and resettlement of people living illegally in protected areas are important processes in economic empowerment of local communities and conservation of natural resources. This study highlights a prevailing natural resource management problem, that is, illegal settlement and resource use in Karuma Wildlife Reserve. The aim of the study was to assess whether or not voluntary resettlement of encroachers in the reserve could help to reduce illegal use of resources. This was accomplished by carrying out household interviews and visiting the resettlement sites. It was found that provision of land alone for settlement and farming cannot reduce illegal resource use. Local communities need financial support to carry out other alternative economic activities to improve their incomes and reduce dependence on protected resources. It was concluded that people living in abject poverty cannot support conservation of resources without alternative income generating activities. Moreover, local co...