The Kalangala oil palm expansion has triggered fresh concern among environmentalists, who warn that the ongoing development of oil palm fields across various islands could severely damage the region’s fragile ecosystem. The project’s extension, enabled by a 2023 directive from President Museveni, allows oil palm cultivation to spread beyond the main island of Buggala to other ecologically sensitive areas.
New Areas Targeted for Oil Palm
The expansion includes over 700 acres on Serinya Island, 600 acres on Lulamba, and 1,500 acres on Bukasa Island. Additionally, land is being earmarked on Bugaba, Bufumira, Buyovu, and Funve islands. Although this initiative is touted as a means of boosting economic growth, experts argue it comes at an alarming environmental cost.
According to Mr. Joseph Byaruhanga, Kalangala District’s environmental officer, the original Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) clearly advised that oil palm growing should be restricted to Buggala Island. The aim was to protect natural forests and preserve food crop diversity on other islands. Unfortunately, these recommendations are now being disregarded.
Alarming Decline in Forest Cover
Kalangala District once boasted 57% forest cover in 1954. Today, that figure has dropped to just 22%, according to records from the district environment office. The key contributors to this dramatic decline include rice farming (20%), oil palm cultivation (18%), and a combination of timber harvesting, human settlement, and charcoal burning (16%).
Mr. Byaruhanga stressed that while economic gains from oil palm are tempting, the environmental trade-offs are dangerous. “Sedimentation, water pollution, and stronger windstorms are just a few of the consequences we’re beginning to see,” he warned. He further noted that Kalangala’s shallow waters are especially vulnerable to siltation in the absence of vegetation.
Ecological Concerns Raised by Experts
Environmental advocates, such as Mr. David Kureeba from the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), caution that the Kalangala oil palm expansion could become an ecological disaster. Although oil palm is a tree-like crop, it lacks the ecological depth and biodiversity functions of native forests.
“Oil palm trees live for about 25 years, but they’re ecologically shallow. Unlike indigenous forests, they can’t support climbing plants, birds, or diverse microbial life,” Kureeba explained. He also warned that deforestation releases harmful greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming.
“Methane is responsible for about a quarter of climate change impacts globally,” he noted, emphasizing that clearing forests exacerbates these emissions.
Forests as Climate Regulators
Natural forests play a vital role in climate regulation. They facilitate evapotranspiration, helping in cloud formation and rainfall. “Even morning dew and the fresh air we breathe depend on these forests,” said Kureeba. When these ecosystems are replaced with oil palm plantations, Uganda risks losing essential moisture cycles and natural carbon sinks.
Mr. Frank Muramuzi, NAPE Executive Director, echoed these concerns. “Islands like Kalangala are geographically delicate. Removing forests increases the risk of strong winds and dangerous weather patterns such as tornadoes,” he explained. He criticized oil palm for failing to absorb carbon dioxide or release oxygen at levels comparable to indigenous trees.
Debate Over the EIA Process
Another key issue raised by Muramuzi is Uganda’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. “Too often, developers conduct their own EIAs. This creates a conflict of interest where environmental risks are downplayed,” he said.
Despite these claims, proponents of the project maintain that the expansion is being carried out responsibly. Mr. Boaz Zaake, agronomist at Ssese Oil Palm Growers Cooperative Society Limited (SOPAGCO), said farmers are implementing measures like cover crops and buffer zones to minimize erosion and water contamination.
He added that the land targeted for new cultivation had previously been abandoned due to tsetse fly infestations and was not part of any protected forests. “All national forests are intact. Oil palm trees do produce oxygen like other trees,” Zaake stated.
Counterpoints and Continued Resistance
However, Mr. Muramuzi dismissed this argument. “Oil palm isn’t a real tree in ecological terms. Its small leaf surface and shallow root system limit its environmental contribution,” he said. According to him, oil palm cannot replicate the carbon capture, oxygen release, or canopy cover offered by broadleaf indigenous trees.
Mr. Fred Badda, Kalangala’s Resident District Commissioner, emphasized that no further expansion will proceed without proper evaluation. “We’re currently conducting land assessments to determine historical use—whether it was forested or not—before proceeding with the EIA,” he assured.
A Precarious Balance Between Economy and Environment
At least 11,800 hectares of oil palm trees have been planted on Buggala Island over the past two decades. Recent activities have expanded to Bunyama, Bukasa, and Bubembe, further fueling the debate.
The Kalangala oil palm expansion poses a classic conflict between economic opportunity and environmental preservation. While the project generates income and supports livelihoods, its unchecked growth could irreversibly alter Kalangala’s ecosystem.
As Uganda moves forward, experts insist that a parallel forest restoration program is essential. Only with balanced planning, stringent EIAs, and community engagement can the region protect both its environment and economy.
