United Nations
Development Programme

Plot 24 Prince Charles Drive, Kololo

P.O Box 7184

Kampala, Uganda

Tel: (256) 414-233440/1/2/5

Fax: (256) 414-344801

Email: registry.ug@undp.org

UNDP Gives WWF US$3.3m

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided support to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Ministry of Water and Environment to the tune of US$3.395, 000 to implement a project aimed at supporting Conservation of biodiversity in the Albertine Rift Forests of Uganda. The project will be implemented in three districts of Hoima, Masindi and Kibale.

The project will among others seek to promote better management of forests on private land by communities. Out of the US$ 3,395,000, US $ 267,347 will be used to procure project equipment, including the vehicles and motorcycles being handed over today.

Handing over the equipment to WWF in Kampala today UNDP Resident Representative in Uganda, Theophane Nikyema, said, “ The UNDP Strategic Plan 2008-2011 puts high priority on environment in general and biodiversity conservation in particular. This project is therefore a very critical step towards not only actualizing the UNDP Corporate Plan but also fits within the Government of Uganda priorities for biodiversity conservation. “

UNDP Environment Specialist, Justin Ecaat said, “The Albertine Rift Eco-Region is the most important forest system in Africa for biodiversity, extending across the Great Lakes Region of East and Central Africa (DRC, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi). However, the forests have been under increasing threat from growing commercial demands and from rural communities whose high levels of poverty make them dependent on forest resources for their livelihood.”

The project will be implemented by WWF, with support from UNDP and funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and with oversight by the Ministry of Water & Environment through its Directorate of Environmental Affairs.