Rwensama Learning Forest: A Sacred Land at the Edge of Disappearance

In the heart of Budongo sub-county, nestled within the greater forest ecosystem of northwestern Uganda, lies a place once teeming with life and verdant splendor—Rwensama Learning Forest. For generations, it has served as a haven for biodiversity and a lifeline for surrounding communities. But today, it is a land in peril.

Born in 1967, one of the sons of this land has borne witness to its tragic transformation. Once flourishing with dense native tree cover, Rwensama has lost approximately 75% of its forest canopy over the past decades. The degradation is not just visible in the vanishing trees; it reverberates through the loss of medicinal plants, the extinction of certain animal species, and the hardships now faced by locals who relied on the forest for food, fuel, and income.

This forest has not just been a piece of nature—it has been a classroom, a source of spiritual connection, and a natural protector against soil erosion, drought, and flooding. The disappearance of its trees mirrors the silent erasure of generations of indigenous knowledge, cultural ties, and ecological balance.

But there is hope.

Organizations like Make It Green Again Uganda (MIGAU) are sounding the alarm and taking action. Recognizing Rwensama’s unique ecological role, MIGAU has included it as a priority area in their community-led restoration programs. By working with local groups, especially youth and women, MIGAU is initiating reforestation efforts that not only plant trees but restore dignity and purpose to the communities who depend on them.

The journey to reclaim Rwensama is not just about ecological repair—it’s about justice. Environmental degradation often hurts the most vulnerable first. Replanting native trees, educating children on conservation, and providing alternative income sources like avocado farming and clean cookstoves all form part of a greater mission: to build a forest for the future.

You can be part of this mission. Whether it’s through volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness, your action can help write a new chapter for Rwensama—one rooted in hope, not loss.