Tribute to outgoing NFA Executive Director Tom Obong
- Government recognizes Tom Obong Okello for his transformative leadership.
- Increased Non-Tax Revenue: Revenue rose from approximately 9 billion UGX in 2017/18 to 18 billion UGX in 2023/24.
Image: Moses kidandi--Capital FM
The National Forestry Authority (NFA) bids farewell to its Executive Director, Tom Obong Okello, who has successfully concluded his six-year tenure.
Joining the NFA in July2018, Mr. Okello set out with a vision to improve forest reserves management, address illegal activities, garner stakeholder support, increase tree planting, and enhance staff welfare. His tenure has yielded remarkable achievements, leaving the NFA stronger and more resilient.
Key Achievements: Increase in Forest Cover: Under Mr. Okello’s leadership, Uganda's forest cover increased from 9.9% in 2017 to 12.4%.This was achieved through the establishment of 6,766 hectares of new plantations by the NFA, 75,410 hectares by private tree farmers, and the distribution of 126,339,704 seedlings to the public.
Forest Land Recovery: The NFA recovered 44,702 hectares of forest land from encroachers and restored 22,500 hectares.Additionally, 4,597.1 kilometers of forest boundaries were reopened and demarcated with concrete pillars.
Image: Moses kidandi--Capital FM
Staff Mobility Improvement: The procurement of 20 vehicles and 62 motorcycles significantly enhanced staff mobility for forestry management.
Increased Non-Tax Revenue: Revenue rose from approximately 9 billion UGX in2017/18 to 18 billion UGX in 2023/24.
Support for Forestry Management: Partnerships with the World Bank, Swedish Development Agency, Irish Aid, WWF, USAID, and other organizations provided crucial support for various projects, including forest regeneration, boundarydemarcation, and forest monitoring.
Community Engagement: The introduction of agro forestry practices empowered over100,000 farmers, and 10 million seedlings were distributed to schools, institutions, and communities.
As Mr. Okello bids farewell, he expresses his gratitude to the NFA team, the Board of Directors, the Ministry of Water and Environment, and all partners for their un wavering support. He remains hopeful for the future of the NFA and its continued success in forest conservation and management.
Technological Advancements: Implementation of a Geographic Information System(GIS) for real-time forest monitoring and the use of drones enhanced forest management capabilities, reducing illegal logging incidents by 70%.
Significant Projects: Mabira Forest Reserve Transformation: Reforestation and conservation initiatives restored 30,000 hectares, transforming Mabira into a thriving ecosystem and popular ecotourism destination, attracting 50,000 visitors annually.
Improved Staff Welfare: Staff salaries were enhanced three times during Mr. Okello’s tenure, demonstrating his commitment to staff welfare.Challenges and Overcoming Them:Mr. Okello faced challenges including inadequate funding, human resource constraints, and external pressures such as land grabbing and encroachment.
Through strategic partnerships,lobbying, and prioritizing key areas, these challenges were addressed effectively.
Legacy and Future Vision:Mr. Okello's tenure leaves a legacy of resilience, innovation, and community empowerment.
He emphasized the importance of continued forest conservation efforts and urged everyone to remain vigilant in protecting Uganda's natural heritage. His vision and accomplishments will continue to inspire future generations of environmental stewards.