DTB and NFA Plant 15 Hectares of Trees to Restore Kasonke Forest Reserve
Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) and the National Forestry Authority (NFA) have partnered to rehabilitate Kasonke Forest Reserve in Masaka, which has faced heavy deforestation due to charcoal production, agriculture, and settlement.
This encroachment has reduced the reserve’s original 508 hectares by more than 31%. As a crucial water catchment for Lake Victoria and an important bird habitat for Masaka City and nearby areas, the forest is now set for recovery.
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In the partnership’s first phase, 10,000 indigenous trees, including Musizi and Musambya, will be planted on 15 hectares. NFA spokesperson Juliet Mubi highlighted the reserve’s long-standing environmental importance, noting its protection status since 1922 to preserve local ecosystems, water resources, and biodiversity.
“Kasonke Forest has been treasured for its diverse ecosystems,” Mubi said. “However, unchecked encroachment, especially as boundary markers disappeared, has caused significant environmental damage and continues to threaten the reserve.”
Mubi also emphasised the role of the Kasonke stream, which flows into Lake Victoria and supports regional agriculture.
“Restoring forest cover will help secure clean water supplies and mitigate climate-related issues such as erratic weather, unpredictable rains, and droughts that are impacting communities,” she explained.
Uganda faces a severe deforestation crisis, with national forest cover declining from nearly 50% at independence to about 13% today.
Mubi stressed the implications for biodiversity and vital resources, noting: “Masaka had a natural water source, now dried up due to deforestation. Losing forests costs communities resources like firewood, medicinal plants, and essential protections for Lake Victoria’s ecosystem.”
Kaziro Kyambadde, DTB’s Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking, stated that the bank’s collaboration with NFA supports Uganda’s Vision 2040 and international climate goals. DTB has committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030.
“For us, climate risk in finance is critical, so we apply strict ESG standards to all projects. We’re focused on sustainable development and ensuring no project harms our natural environment. These ESG commitments underscore our belief in banking’s role in sustainable growth,” Kyambadde said.
As part of its sustainability mission, DTB plans to plant 100,000 trees by the decade’s end. Kyambadde noted this project would also empower local communities with skills in sustainable practices, generating income opportunities and fostering a shared conservation commitment.
In recent years, nearly 158 hectares of Kasonke Forest Reserve have been degraded. Originally set aside by the colonial government in 1922 for conservation and water catchment, the reserve spans over 508 hectares and is crucial for water systems that feed into Lake Victoria.
