The National Forestry Authority (NFA) has bid farewell to its Executive Director, Tom Obong Okello, who has successfully concluded his six-year tenure.
He Joined the NFA in July 2018, and set out a vision to improve forest reserves management, address illegal activities, garner stakeholder support, increase tree planting, and enhance staff welfare.
According to the NFA, His tenure has yielded remarkable achievements, leaving the authority stronger and more resilient.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Water and Environment Sam Cheptoris urged civil servants to dedicate their time and commitment towards the public during their time in office.
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.
As he bid farewell, he expressed his gratitude to the NFA team, the Board of Directors, the Ministry of Water and Environment, and all partners for their unwavering support.
He was credited for Increasing Uganda’s forest cover 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.
The NFA also 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.
The authority was able to procure 20 vehicles and 62 motorcycles which significantly enhanced staff mobility for forestry management.
He is also credited for increasing the Non-Tax Revenue from approximately Shs 9 billion in 2017/18 to 18 billion UGX in 2023/24.
“He led Partnerships with the World Bank, Swedish Development Agency, Irish Aid, WWF, USAID, and other organizations which provided crucial support for various projects, including forest regeneration, boundary demarcation, and forest monitoring. Introduced agroforestry practices, empowering over 100,000 farmers, and 10 million seedlings were distributed to schools, institutions, and communities,” NFA noted.
Among other achievements, Obong is credited for the 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.
