As the forestry industry in Uganda grows, many actors are appreciating the need for forest certification. In the recent years the industry has attracted many actors interested in working with tree growers in the different forest value chains, however most of them demand assurance of the sustainability of the forests and their products which can mainly be proven through forest certification. UTGA identified this gap and ventured into forest certification through establishing a group certification scheme which got FSC certified in 2019. The scheme provides a unique opportunity for small and medium scale tree growers to access forest certification quite easily. The scheme underwent a successful recertification in 2024 and a successful S1 audit early this year.
With technical and logistical support from FAO Uganda, UTGA has embarked on a journey to expand our group certification scheme to attract more tree growers and expand in certified area with a current target of an additional 5,000 hectares before the end of 2025.
In may 2025 the expansion activities kicked off with a two-day FSC certification awareness workshop that attracted 60 tree growers and key actors in the forestry sector.
Annah Agasha the Deputy regional director for FSC Africa introduced the participants to the FSC certification system and process highlighting the relationship between FSC, certifying bodies, certificate holders and auditors.
Peter Mulondo the program officer and the group’s resource manager justified the need to get FSC certified with particular emphasis on the benefits of forest certification for small and medium scale tree growers, how to get certified and the entire process.
Follow-up activities will include field based practical trainings, gap audits, internal entry audits and annual surveillance audits.