Forestry and Tree Planting Act in Plain English

What does the Forestry Act cover, and which edition is this?

The Act is the main forestry law in Uganda. Its long title covers the conservation and sustainable management of forests, the declaration of forest reserves, the promotion of tree planting, trade in forest produce and the creation of the National Forestry Authority (NFA).

Edition and numbering. It is Act 8 of 2003, and in the 2023 revision of Uganda's laws it sits as Chapter 160. The text we read is the ULII version "as at 8 August 2003", and every section number on this page is from that text. A revised edition can renumber sections. For example, the NFA FAQ says the NFA was established under section 52 of the Act, which matches the 2003 numbering. Before quoting a section in a contract or a letter, check the number against the current version on ULII.

The National Forestry and Tree Planting Regulations, 2016 are made under section 92. We could not open their text for this page, so we do not describe their forms or fees.

What does the Act say about private forests and who owns the trees?

This is the part most sellers and buyers care about, and it is clear.

• Ownership. Section 27(1): "For the avoidance of doubt, Government or a local government has no ownership over trees or forest produce situated on private land."
• Registration. Under section 21 a person may register a natural forest on land owned in accordance with the Land Act, 1998 with the District Land Board. Under section 22 the same applies to a plantation forest. A "private forest" is a forest registered under section 21 or 22 (section 3).
• Produce. Sections 21(2) and 22(2) say all forest produce in a registered forest belongs to the owner and may be used in any manner the owner decides, except that it must be harvested in accordance with the management plan and the regulations.
• Directions. A District Forest Officer may direct the owner of a plantation to manage it in a professional and sustainable manner (sections 21(3), 22(3) and 27(2)).
• Contracts. Section 23 allows any person to contract with the owner or holder of an interest in a private forest for the right to harvest, buy or sell all or part of the produce. The contract may be registered against the land title. Where land has no certificate of title, the District Land Board registers it as a separate folio on the Register Book.
• Register of interests. Section 24 requires the District Land Board to keep a register of rights and interests in private forests.

For a trees-only sale, section 23 is useful. It recognises that harvest rights can be sold separately from the land. Ask a lawyer whether to register your contract. Our guide to listing your forest for sale explains what Land and Property needs to see.

Do I need a permit to cut my own trees?

Not normally on private land, according to the NFA. The NFA FAQ says permission is not typically required before cutting trees unless specified otherwise, that harvesting should follow a management plan, and that it is advisable to inform the nearest forestry office first. The NFA also says that any tree not in a central forest reserve is regulated by the District Forest Officer, and that a permit fee applies to harvesting trees on private land but not to timber for personal use. The fee amount is not stated on the page.

The licence rules in Part V are about forest reserves and community forests. Section 41 lets a responsible body grant a licence to cut, take, work or remove forest produce from a forest reserve or community forest. Section 43 makes it an offence to grow, cut, take or remove forest produce from a forest reserve or community forest without a licence, with a fine of up to thirty currency points or imprisonment of up to three years, or both. That applies in reserves, not on titled private land.

One exception to watch is protected trees. Under section 31 the Minister or a District Council may declare particular trees on private land protected. It is an offence to cut, damage or remove a protected tree, or to sell or transport part of one, without written consent. Ask the District Forest Officer whether any tree on your land is protected. For the movement side, read our page on permits to cut and move timber.

What are the Minister's powers over timber movement and export?

Two sections give the Minister or the licensing authority control over trade.

• Export (section 44). No person may export timber without an export licence from a licensing authority appointed by the Minister. A licence can be issued only for graded timber. A fine of up to thirty currency points or three years in prison, or both, applies.
• Movement (section 45). The Minister may, on the advice of the NFA and lead agencies, by statutory order, "prohibit or restrict the movement by any person of forest produce" for periods, areas and terms set in the order.

An FAO and Uganda Timber Growers Association presentation of October 2019 listed constraints on timber exports and the lack of grading and chain-of-custody standards among the reasons plantation returns were low. A separate presidential directive on unprocessed timber, reported by InfoNile as issued on 24 May 2023, is covered in our page on the timber export ban. The Minister's orders can change, so always ask the District Forest Officer what is in force now.

What about charcoal orders and tree owners?

"Forest produce" in section 3 of the Act includes trees, timber, firewood, poles and charcoal. The Act therefore treats charcoal as forest produce, and a statutory order under section 45 could in principle restrict its movement.

The charcoal ban is a separate presidential directive, not something we found written into the Act. The Daily Monitor reported on 14 October 2026 that the Minister of ICT and National Guidance defended the charcoal ban at the Uganda Media Centre, saying "the decision was taken to save our forests". She also said that those given land titles in the forest should have them cancelled, that people occupying forest reserves should leave, and that people cutting charcoal should be arrested. The article does not mention private woodlots. We therefore cannot say whether a private owner may burn or sell charcoal from their own trees. Do not assume. Ask the District Forest Officer in writing and keep the reply.

What about natural forest on private land, and who regulates it?

Under section 21, a natural forest on private land may be registered, and the owner owns its produce but must harvest in line with the management plan and regulations. Section 28 requires a "responsible body" to prepare a management plan, and in the case of a private forest the responsible body is the owner or person in charge (section 3). So a landowner who wishes to cut natural forest needs a plan, not just a chainsaw.

Who supervises? Section 48 requires each District Council to set up a District Forestry Office. Its officer advises on private forests and causes the prosecution of anyone wilfully destroying forest resources. The NFA, set up under section 52 and launched on 26 April 2004, manages central forest reserves (section 54). Our page on NFA or District Forest Officer explains the division.

For planting and buying decisions, see the cost to establish and harvest an acre of trees, eucalyptus trees for sale, tree plantation investment scams to avoid and where Uganda's plantations are. Apartment ownership is governed by a different statute, explained in our Condominium Property Act 2001 in plain English.

You can list your trees for sale, land not included with Land and Property, or browse forest and tree listings once they appear. None are published yet as of 3 November 2026. This page is general information and not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• Forest Trees for Sale in Uganda: Standing Pine and Eucalyptus
• Cost to Establish and Harvest an Acre of Trees
• Tree Plantation Investment Scams to Avoid
• Where Uganda's Plantations Are: Regional Guide
• Eucalyptus Trees for Sale in Uganda: Buyer's Guide
• List Your Forest on Land & Property