Sarah Mawerere | September 12, 2025
News Brief
Communities in Uganda’s Sebei region are planting indigenous and exotic trees to restore habitats for birds and improve livelihoods. Decades of deforestation had reduced fig and Cordia trees, shrinking bird populations and ecosystem services. Now, species such as Rose’s turaco, the golden-winged sunbird, and Mount Elgon francolin are returning. Local conservationists distribute seedlings and plant fruit and bamboo trees, helping birds avoid farmland and supporting tourism. Trees also boost soil fertility, pollination, and climate resilience, providing long-term benefits for agriculture and community income while restoring the Mount Elgon ecosystem.
The Sebei region in Uganda has experienced deforestation for decades. Indigenous trees like fig trees (Ficus species) and Cordia africana were once common, but many have been cleared for timber, charcoal, and farming. This has reduced bird habitats, biodiversity, and critical ecosystem services.
Mr. Yekoyada Mutusa, an elder from Sukuya village, Kapchorwa district, says he has seen things change over time. He explains, “Birds like Lisoso, Najinsole, Jimaulu, Namono, Sunyi, Musukune, Namboko and Lingasa reduced in number so much.”
Mr. Mutusa says people used to attach a lot of meaning to the presence of some birds. He explains, “Lisoso, for example, used to tell people to plant crops when it was time. It sang when it was time for the activity, and it was perfect. Kusabasi (Ficus) trees used to host so many birds but their habitat was reduced.”
He adds, “The trees which are threatened and so extinct are Jimaulo, Namanyi, Budidi. If trees like Gusabasi, Guyewa, Gubondye could be regenerated together with fruit trees, many more bird species would be attracted back.”
In the Sebei districts of Kapchorwa, Kween, and Bukwo, people are planting both exotic and indigenous trees. This is attracting birds, even species that had disappeared.
In recent years, a large flock of birds landed in Ngege sub-county and destroyed acres of sorghum. Observers say this happened because birds lacked suitable habitat and turned to farmland. With enough trees, they believe such destruction could be avoided.
Birds such as Rose’s turaco, the golden-winged sunbird, and the Mount Elgon francolin are now increasing in the Sebei region and across the Mount Elgon ecosystem.
Ms. Immaculate Chelangat, a conservationist in the Mount Elgon Biosphere Reserve, says, “We want to see Mount Elgon flourish again because we now have a number of tourists who come this way to watch birds. And when tourists come, we get income from them because they pay money to be taken around to watch the birds and to view the scenery.”
Ms. Chelangat raises indigenous tree seedlings from the wilds of Mount Elgon National Park and distributes them freely to residents of Sipi in Kapchorwa district. She has also planted bamboo and water-purifying trees such as Syzygium (water berry) along the Kamorok River.
Mr. Joel Kaburu, a tour guide in Mount Elgon National Park, takes both local and international tourists to view birds such as the golden-winged sunbird, Tekes sunbird, Rose’s turaco, and Mountain Akalat. He says conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and Gaza have disrupted migratory birds. He received training through the Uganda Tourism Board and other groups to support tree conservation and attract birds and tourists.
Trees support bird life and improve agriculture, soil fertility, and climate resilience.
Professor Edward Nector Mwavu, an ecologist at Makerere University, explains, “By planting trees, communities are protecting themselves from floods, soil erosion and soil loss. Sebei—especially Kapchorwa, which grows sorghum, barley and millet—requires a lot of trees to provide habitat for birds, since birds will always flock there to eat the cereals.”
He adds that some vegetation isn’t used for food but for nesting. Eagles build nests in trees. Even grassland birds that eat crops need trees and shrubs as habitat.
He says, “There is a need for different trees like those which flower. Flowers produce nectar. Many birds will be attracted to such trees to take nectar. The flowers will be fertilized by bees, which will give fruits, attracting birds like doves. Plantain eaters like the common bulbul enjoy eating fruits as well.”
Birds also support pollination and seed dispersal. For example, they can carry seeds from trees like guava over long distances, helping trees regenerate. Professor Mwavu says, “If you have this habitat that provides the birds a home to breed, then there could be less conflict between the community and these animals.”
Mr. Michael Kusuro, Range Manager at the National Forestry Authority (NFA) in the Kioga region, says the NFA raises both exotic and indigenous trees, and distributes them free of charge through centres in Jinja, Mbale, and Soroti.
He says, “We are raising indigenous tree species which the community members themselves want. They are multipurpose: for firewood, as windbreakers, to feed animals, for herbal medicine, and for building.”
Ms. Chelangat adds, “We are planting the trees and plants around the homes, around the boundaries, along the roadsides, and along the hills so that the birds can have a better habitat within the hills and in the caves and particularly near the forest reserves. Birds cause havoc because their habitat has been tampered with. But if they have enough wild fruits and berries, then they will not cause havoc.”
She says her team raises berry-producing trees that birds enjoy. In her experience, when birds have enough fruit, they do not damage vegetables or crops.
As Sebei continues its tree-planting efforts, more birds are returning, ecosystems are healing, and communities are finding new sources of income. Awareness and training will be key to ensuring that people and nature thrive together in a sustainable way.
Photo: Immaculate Chelangat at her tree seedling multiplication centre in Sipi Kapchorwa district
This resource is funded by the IKEA Foundation under the project “Sustainable Dialogue and Knowledge Sharing Communication Platforms”