The Worldwide Fund – East and Southern Africa Programme Office (ESARPO) and Panasonic Middle East and Africa Partnership launch: The launch which took place at Kisumu Girls, Kenya, brought together many Worldwide Fund (WWF) partners which included NatureUganda, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, Worldwide Fund (WWF) Tanzania and schools, Kisumu Girls SSS and Butende Primary School. The main objective of the launch was to raise Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) awareness and communications using the Panasonic communications equipment, through LVCEEP Pilot schools, putting ESD in practice.
NU file photo:The Executive Director, NatureUganda
receives a voucher for the 42 inch TV from the Director, Panasonic.

Representatives from Uganda included Mr. Achilles Byaruhanga – Executive Director NatureUganda, Mrs. Ada Lesale - Project Executant LVCEEP  and Ms. Sylvia Nantumbwe - Deputy Head Teacher Butende Primary School. Others on the event were Mrs. Zipporah Musyoki Webola – WWF Coordinator, Mr. Edward Mwendwa – LVCEEP Kisumu, Kisumu Girls, District Commissioner Kisumu, Provincial commissioner Kisumu, His Worship the Mayor of Kisumu – Prof. James Ole Kiyiapi, CBS, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Kenya, Regional representatives WWF ESARPO school teachers and school children.

Panasonic will support the awarded schools in LVCEEP with various communication equipments as was stated in the key note address by MD Panasonic Middle East and Africa. It was further noted that the support will cover many other schools in the region to improve and increase schools and public awareness on ESD hence promoting the understanding and appreciation and conservation of Nature.

In Uganda the Panasonic support a strong mile to NatureUganda activities as it will strengthen the links of many conservation programmes. NatureUganda calls upon the public, private partners and government to support its activities, the struggle of availing information with regard to the state of our environment and natural resources.

Participatory Environmental Management Approach (PEMA) is a project implemented by NatureUganda in Bushenyi district. It launched a campaign to restore the degraded areas in Kasyoha Kitomi forest.  An assessment conducted revealed that of the total 39,200 hectares covered by the forest, 39 hectares were degraded.

The project facilitated the restoration/enrichment planting of 12 hectares in Kakasi beat, Illimia block compartment 3 in partnership  with NFA  and community members of Kanywambogo environmental conservation association – (CBO supported by the project) in Ibanda district – Kicuzi Sub County. 5000 assorted seedlings of indigenous tree species including Khaya  anthotheca, markamia spp and codia Mellini were planted. This restored part had previously been degraded by the same resident of Kicuzi- Ibanda who illegally harvested trees for timber and charcoal burning.  
After a lot of engagements under CFM arrangements, Forest adjacent communities have appreciated the role forests play in conservation and are ready to plant more indigenous trees inside the forest to bring back its glory. Communities’ perception towards conservation of the forest started when they realized the benefits they access when they co manage the forest with NFA.

Mr.Tibesigwa Amos, a community member says “we believe when this forest is restored, it will be for our own benefit because we are allowed to access a few regulated products like fire wood and medicinal herbs”. He also says Kasyoha Kitomi is one of the few forests that have different species of monkeys, other small animals and many species of birds which are tourist attractions for revenue. NatureUganda – PEMA II project would like this to serve as an example for the rest of the communities living adjacent to the degraded areas.
By: Rogers Niwamanya
SPO PEMA II, Natureuganda