Uganda launches FLR Implementation Hub to turn forest restoration commitments into action on the ground

Uganda has taken a major step toward reinforcing its efforts towards reducing forest loss. The national launch of the Uganda Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Implementation Hub  took place in Kampala, with Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water and Environment, officially opening the launch event.

Uganda's forest landscapes are the heartbeat of the country's ecological integrity and economic productivity. More than 5 million Ugandans depend on forests for water, medicine, food and energy. Yet rapid population growth, agricultural expansion, and heavy reliance on biomass energy have taken a real toll. Despite recent signs of slowing deforestation, pressure remains high.

As Dr. Okidi put it, "The FLR Hub represents a shift from fragmented interventions to a more integrated and programmatic model – one that strengthens governance, mobilizes financing, and delivers measurable restoration outcomes at scale."

A response to national and global commitments

Uganda joined the Bonn Challenge in 2014, pledging to restore 2.5 million hectares of degraded landscapes. A subsequent Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) assessment identified over 8 million hectares with restoration potential. The new FLR Hub project in Uganda directly responds to that gap, focusing initial on groundwork in the Northern Moist Farmlands and Western Mid Altitude Farmlands.
The FLR Hub is a global initiative aimed at accelerating forest and landscape restoration efforts across key regions in Africa and Latin America. Running from 2026 to 2030, the FLR Hub serves as a critical platform for advancing global restoration goals while addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and enhancing the livelihoods of local communities. 
The FLR Hub focuses on large-scale restoration efforts in six target countries in Africa and Latin Ameria (Africa: Tanzania, Uganda, and Madagascar; Latin America: Brazil, Colombia, and Peru) with the possibility of expanding to further countries in the future. These countries were selected due to their high potential for restoration, political commitment to landscape restoration, and the presence of active landscape restoration programs like AFR100 in Africa and Initiative 20x20 in Latin America.
Over the next five years (2026–2030), the global initiative aims to restore 200,000 hectares and sequester 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. The project will also strengthen legislation, enhance multi sector coordination, and mobilise both public and private investment.

Governance and partnerships

A key outcome of the launch event was agreement on the Terms of Reference and governance structure for the National FLR Multi-Stakeholder Platform.  Ms Irene Nanyondo, the Principal Forest Officer, Ministry of Water and Environment emphasized that, "The platform is designed to align efforts across sectors and to avoid the fragmentation that has limited past restoration work in the country."

The FLR Hub Uganda is a consortium project led by Uganda's Ministry of Water and Environment in partnership with IUCN, WWF, and the World Resources Institute. Funding comes from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI).

Moses Egaru, IUCN Country Representative, reinforced the stakes by highting, "This success will require more than commitment – it will require scale. We must strengthen governance, mobilize financing, and empower communities who are the true custodians of our natural resource estate."

Phillip Kihumuro of WWF Uganda added, "The FLR Hub should be a catalyst for long term transformation of Uganda's landscapes. With strong leadership, coordinated action, and sustained investment, Uganda can position itself as a regional leader in Forest Landscape Restoration."

Looking ahead
The call now goes out to the private sector, civil society, academia, and local communities to join in. The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the Ministry's commitLment to leadership and coordination, while noting that the government's broader ROOTs Campaign aspires to restore 40 million hectares. 

Read more about FLR Hub