DOI - Mendel University Press

DOI identifiers

DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-025-2-0338

URBAN FORESTRY AND GREEN SPACES IN UGANDAN CITIES: YOUTH AND WOMEN PERCEPTIONS AND PARTICIPATION

Dastan Bamwesigye1,2
1 Department of Landscape Management, Faculty of forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 3, 613 00 Brno, Czechia
2 Department of Forest and Wood Products Economics and Policy, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Czechia


Despite the fundamental character and role of urban parks and green places in providing and improving quality of life in urban settings, there is a noteworthy gap in appreciating and comprehending public opinions and engagement in such initiatives and programs in Uganda. This study aims to explore such perceptions and the level of community involvement throughout the four districts of Kampala, Fort Portal, Mbarara, and Gulu in Uganda. The study used an online survey questionnaire to gather data (n=501) responses through a simple random sampling approach to guarantee representativeness. The key findings discovered that whereas about 66% of the participants stated satisfaction with current urban parks, about 70% keenly engage in urban initiatives such as gardening and tree planting activities. Additionally, a noteworthy 99% articulated support for improved investment in green spaces demonstrated society's awareness and the need for improvement and increment. Even though there were positive opinions, the study recognized a gap in the need for inclusivity of sidelined groups, mostly youth and women. This investigation underscores the need for focused policy interventions to tackle these gaps. The study recommends prioritizing funding for improving green spaces, guaranteeing the active involvement of marginalized inhabitants in the planning and developing educational schemes to promote greater societal engagement in ecological activities. This is crucial for generating more inclusive urban environments that support sustainable community development, resilience, and improved overall urban health in Uganda.

Keywords: air quality, biodiversity support, forest services, quality of life, recreation activities, climate regulation, urban parks and forestry, Uganda, youth and women

pages: 338-343, Published: 2025, online: 2025



References

  1. Ale, S., Adjonou, K., Segla, K. N., Komi, K., Zoungrana, J. B. B., Aholou, C., & Kokou, K. (2025). Urban Forestry in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges, Contributions, and Future Directions for Combating Climate Change and Restoring Forest Landscapes. Sustainability, 17(1), 24. Go to original source...
  2. Bamwesigye, D., Doli, A., Adamu, K. J., & Mansaray, S. K. (2020c). A Review of the Political Economy of Agriculture in Uganda: Women, Property Rights, and Other Challenges. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research 8(1): 1-10, 2020 Go to original source...
  3. Bamwesigye, D., Akwari, F. N., & Hlaváčková, P. (2019). Forest product export performance in tropical Africa: an empirical analysis. Forum Scientiae Oeconomia (Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 73-83).
  4. Doli, A., Bamwesigye, D., Hlaváčková, P., Fialová, J., Kupec, P., & Asamoah, O. (2021). Forest Park visitors opinions and willingness to pay for sustainable development of the Germia Forest and Recreational Park. Sustainability, 13(6), 3160. Go to original source...
  5. Bamwesigye, D. (2023). Willingness to pay for alternative energies in Uganda: energy needs and policy instruments towards zero deforestation 2030 and climate change. Energies, 16(2), 980. Go to original source...
  6. Binyanya, M. R., Mugwima, N. B., Karanja, D., & Mbiti, S. (2022). Sustainable urban forest conservation: Assessing public attitudes towards urban forests in Nairobi city. Current Urban Studies, 10(4), 655-672. Go to original source...
  7. Chisika, S. N., & Yeom, C. (2023). Smart urban forest management in east africa: the case of Nairobi and Kampala Cities. Sage Open, 13(3), 21582440231194137. Go to original source...
  8. Cilliers, S., Cilliers, J., Lubbe, R., & Siebert, S. (2013). Ecosystem services of urban green spaces in African countries-perspectives and challenges. Urban Ecosystems, 16, 681-702. Go to original source...
  9. Kuchelmeister, G. (2000). Trees for the urban millennium: urban forestry update. UNASYLVA-FAO-, 49-55.
  10. Lwasa, S., Mugagga, F., Wahab, B., Simon, D., Connors, J., & Griffith, C. (2014). Urban and peri-urban agriculture and forestry: Transcending poverty alleviation to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Urban climate, 7, 92-106. Go to original source...
  11. Lwasa, S., Mugagga, F., Wahab, B., Simon, D., Connors, J. P., & Griffith, C. (2015). A meta-analysis of urban and peri-urban agriculture and forestry in mediating climate change. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 13, 68-73. Go to original source...
  12. Omolo-Okalebo, F., & Buyinza, A. (2024). Greying in Gulu City: The Impacts to Climate Change and the Potential for Adaptation Using Green Infrastructure. Current Urban Studies, 12(3), 477-492. Go to original source...