Factors influencing deforestation in Rwamwanja refugee settlement camp, Kamwenge district, Uganda

Abstract

The tropical rain forest is facing increasing destruction and degradation and the ones in Africa much more so. The challenges include establishing the activities and factors which are contributing greatly to this situation. This study therefore critically assessed the influence of arable farming, lumbering and charcoal processing on deforestation in Rwamwanja refugee settlement camp in Kamwenge District, Uganda. This refugee camp is mainly habituated by refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The socio demographic data indicates that most of the refugees interviewed were male (94.3%), most of them (60.3 %) were married and ranged between 35 to 50 years old (62.1%). The results show that all these factors (arable farming, lumbering and charcoal burning) significantly contribute to the high rate of deforestation in this camp. However, the major contributor is lumbering (3.30) closely followed by Charcoal (3.26). The above two factors are mainly fueled by high income from lumbering and lack of energy for domestic use. The results further show that the increasing human population due to increasing number of refugees is resulting in increased settlement which in turn leads to increased deforestation as the above demands grow in this refugee settlement camp. The study recommends that there is need for a more detailed study to identify practical alternatives which would lead to effective protection of the forests around this refugee settlement. It is also further recommended that education and awareness on tree conservation for the local refugee communities becomes part of the settling in program including identifying other income generating activities and other sources of energy for the refugees.