About NFA

Overview

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) is a semi-autonomous body mandated to sustainably manage all Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) in Uganda. NFA provides high-quality forestry-related products and services to the government, private sector, and local communities.

Our Core Values

Integrity

Innovations

Accountability


Teamwork

Excellence

Board of Directors

Board Message

The Board wishes to thank all those who contribute towards the success of the NFA as we work towards achieving “A sufficiently forested, ecologically stable, and economically prosperous Uganda”. The National Forestry Authority (NFA) was established under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act 2001 as a Government parastatal responsible for managing 506 Central Forest Reserves. NFA operates under the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) and is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister. The Board is responsible, under the Act, for the proper management of the Authority’s funds. Section 71 of the Act mandates the Board to apply sound financial and commercial practices and ensure that revenue meets expenditure. The Board also takes responsibility for the general direction and supervision of the Authority, including:

  • Review and approval of operating plans, budgets, reports, and audited financial statements of the Authority;
  • Oversee the operations of the Authority;
  • Provide guidance to the Executive Director and staff of the Authority;
  • Establish and approve rules and procedures for appointment, termination, discipline, and terms and conditions of service of staff of the Authority.
Mr. Stuart Maniraguha
Dr. Shire Abdullahi
Ms. Charity Chebet
Mrs. Tina Achilla
Dr. Eng. Christopher Ebal

Directorates

The Office of the Executive Director at National Forestry Authority is responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of the authority subject to section 19 of the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act 2003/8. The Executive Director is empowered to:

  • The implementation of policies and programs of the Authority and reporting to the Board of Directors.
  • The proper management of the funds and property of the Authority;
  • The organization and control of the staff of the Authority;
  • The development of an operating plan to guide the Authority in achieving its objectives;
  • The development of the management plans for the utilization of forestry resources in the central forest reserves;
  • Co-operation with other lead agencies and organizations in the forest sector;
  • The development of an economic, efficient and cost-effective internal management structure;
  • Performing any other duty that may be assigned to him or her by the Board.

Executive Director
National Forestry Authority

Mr. Maniraguha Stuart
Executive Director

The Plantations Directorate of National Forestry Authority is responsible for establishment and management of forest plantations and tree seedling nurseries in designated plantation areas under National Forestry Authority.

The Unit is headed by a Director at NFA headquarters with seven plantation areas managed by Plantation Managers, supported by Sector Managers and Forest Supervisors.

Management Areas: NFA has 6 plantation areas as indicated below:

  • Bugamba Plantations comprising of Rwemitongore, Kyahi, Bugamba and Rwoho Plantations. Kyahi and Rwemitongore are for production of Eucalyptus poles and timber while Bugamba and Rwoho are for Pine and Cypress. Total planted area to date is 11,322 ha. The plantations are found in the Districts of Mbarara, Isingiro and Ntungamo.
  • Mafuga Plantations comprising of Kabale, Mafuga, Kirima, Muko and Echuya plantations for production of Eucalyptus, Pine and Cypress. The plantations with a planted area of 3,432 ha are located in the Districts of Kabale, Kanungu and Kisoro.
  • Mwenge Plantations comprising Oruha and Kyehara, Kikumiro and Kagorra plantations in Kyenjojo District with a planted area of 1,711 ha of both Pine and Eucalyptus.
  • Katuugo Plantations comprising Katuugo and Kasagala Plantations in Nakasongola District with a total planted area of 2,550 ha.
  • Lendu Plantations comprising Lendu, Okavureru, Usi and Awang Plantations, in Zombo District with a planted area of 2296 ha of both Eucalyptus and Pine.
  • South Busoga located in Mayuge district with a planted area of 2499 ha.

Director Plantations Development
National Forestry Authority.

Director Plantations Development
Mr. Mwodi Martin Kegere
Director Plantations Development

The Directorate of Legal and Corporate Affairs (DLCA) offers support to the National Forestry Authority to fulfill its mandate of managing Central Forest Reserves on a sustainable basis and supplying forestry related products and services to Government, Communities and the Private sector.

The Directorate handles issues related to Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Reporting, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Mapping, Legal Affairs, Business Development, Supervision and monitoring compliance to NFA policy guidelines and standards.

The Directorate works hand in hand with other Directorates to achieve NFA’s strategic objectives of improving management of all Central Forest Reserves, expanding partnership arrangements, supplying quality forest and non-forest products and services, and attaining organizational sustainability.

The Legal and Corporate Affairs Directorate is headed by the Director. The directorate also plays a management role at the National Forestry Authority. It is comprised of five Units: (i) Planning, (ii) Legal Affairs, (iii) Monitoring and Evaluation, (iv) GIS and Mapping, (v) Business Development. Each unit is headed by a coordinator.

Director Legal and Corporate Affairs,
National Forestry Authority.

Mr. Muhumuza Moses
Director Legal and Corporate Affairs

The Directorate of Finance and Administration plays a key support function to all the other departments in the National Forestry Authority. The finance directorate has five (5) units namely the accounts and finance unit, procurement unit, transport unit, and the administration unit.

This directorate is dedicated to financial planning, financial management, provision of operating funds, financial reporting and analysis.

Development and coordination of an effective revenue collection system, policies and procedures ensure adequate controls are in place to maintain proper books of account.

Major tasks for the Directorate include:

  • Preparation of annual accounts.
  • Preparing annual operation plans and budgeting.
  • Monitoring of financial performance.
  • Establishment of stringent expenditure controls.
  • Liaising with external auditors.
  • Budgetary planning, monitoring and analysis.
  • Preparation of final accounts.
  • Giving financial advice to management.
  • Ensuring availability of office supplies.
  • Ensuring cleanliness and functioning of the building.
  • Administration of stores.
  • Administration of records and the library.
  • Administration of the NFA rental units.
  • Ensuring security and access of the NFA headquarters building.

Director Finance and Administration
National Forestry Authority.

Mr. Egamu Robert Julius
Director Finance and Administration

The Directorate of Natural Forests Management is one of the five directorates within the Authority headed by the Director; the director oversees the four (4) management units namely:

  • Natural Forest Management
  • Partnership and Private Investment
  • Law Enforcement
  • Inventory and Boundary Surveys

The directorate majorly focuses on restoring the integrity of the Central Forest Reserves, developing and innovating new products and services, improving ecotourism management, and increasing forest coverage across the CFRs in the country.

The directorate has registered a number of achievements in the management and conservation of the natural forests, including:

  • Establishment of plantations for forest products
  • Promotion of private sector planting of 37,000 ha in Central Forest Reserves
  • 40 Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) agreements signed with communities
  • MOUs signed and under implementation with various partners

The Natural Forests Directorate is currently implementing the Collaborative Forestry Management (CFM) plan devised to foster mutually beneficial partnerships with communities, in which a local forest user group and NFA share rights, responsibilities, and benefits in a forest reserve or part of it.

The decision to engage communities was premised on the understanding within NFA that a Forest Reserve can only be adequately managed if the cooperation of the forest-adjacent communities is obtained. The focus of the CFM programme is therefore on:

  • Ensuring stakeholder participation
  • Collective responsibility and equity
  • Improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities

Director Natural Forests Management
Forests for Prosperity.

Mr. Rukundo Tom
Director, Natural Forests Management