Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) Uganda has joined forces with the National Forestry Authority (NFA) to restore 19 hectares of degraded forest land in Mabira Central Forest Reserve, reinforcing national efforts to combat deforestation and enhance climate resilience.
The initiative, launched in Nanga part of the Nyamawanyi block in Mabira marks the second phase of DTB’s reforestation partnership with NFA, following a similar restoration project in Kasonke Forest, Masaka.
The reforestation drive aligns with Uganda’s broader goals to increase forest cover and protect biodiversity. It reflects DTB’s growing commitment to environmental sustainability and supports national strategies aimed at reversing decades of forest loss.
“This initiative is fully aligned with Uganda’s national reforestation agenda, which seeks to reverse decades of deforestation and environmental degradation. By taking tangible action at the grassroots level, DTB is not only advancing national environmental goals but also demonstrating the vital role the private sector plays in fostering a greener, more resilient future for Uganda,” said Kaziro Kyambadde, DTB’s Head of Sustainability.
Juliet Mubi, Public Relations Officer at the NFA, applauded the bank’s leadership and partnership in forest restoration.
“This partnership is a strategic and bold investment in safeguarding Uganda’s ecological future. While our forest cover stands at 12.6%, we are confident that, with support from partners like DTB, we will surpass our restoration targets,” she said.
Mubi emphasised the importance of community participation through the Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) framework.
Under this model, sustainable livelihood practices such as beekeeping, eco-tourism including the popular Mabira zip line and herbal medicine harvesting are promoted to generate income while preserving the forest.
Uganda’s forest cover has declined sharply over the last three decades from 24% in 1990 to just about 10% today due to agricultural expansion, settlement, and illegal logging.
According to reports from NFA and FAO, forest cover had dropped to 13.4% by 2015 and further declined to 12.6% by 2020. Restoration efforts like DTB’s are seen as critical to reversing this trend.
The bank has already supported the recovery of 26,000 hectares of forest nationwide and aims to restore an additional 19,000 hectares within Mabira.
Richard Jonas Ogen, Sector Manager for NFA in Namananga, praised the collaborative forest protection measures in place.
He noted that Mabira's management includes 10 forest stations, 27 security officers, and 21 patrol officers, working alongside local communities, Uganda Police, and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
“In just the past three months, we’ve arrested and prosecuted over 85 individuals involved in illegal logging and encroachment. Restoration without enforcement is ineffective they must go hand in hand,” Ogen stressed.
He added that the restoration process is informed by ecological science. Invasive species such as the pepper mulberry are systematically removed to create space for native trees to thrive, ensuring that reforestation leads to meaningful, long-term ecological recovery.
This partnership not only restores degraded land but also reaffirms the role of responsible banking in supporting Uganda’s environmental future.