NANSANA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

Office of the Senior Environment Officer

P.O. Box 7218,Kampala Uganda ,
Tel: +256-782 692364
Email : Nansanamc@gmail.com /Website:www.nansana.go.ug

DATE: 29TH SEPTEMBER, 2023

To: Senior Assistant Town Clerk
Gombe Division Council

Thru: Senior Environment Officer

REPORT FOR ROADSIDE TREE PLANTING ALONG BUSAKYA–GALAMBA–

JJAGALA ROAD IN KAVULE WARD, GOMBE DIVISION, NANSANA
MUNICIPALITY

1.0 Introduction
During light grading operations of the above-mentioned road, a lot of vegetation in form of trees
and other plants was cleared along the road stretch. This necessitated restoration of vegetation
and aesthetic view of the road as indicated in the earlier compiled environment screening report
and Environment and Social Management Plan to mitigate loss of vegetation cover. The tree
planting exercise was done on 22th September, 2023 by a team that constituted the Environment
officers, Division Town Agents and support labor sourced from Buwambo Ward.

2.0 Objective
The major objective was to restore vegetation that was cleared during light grading and also
improve the aesthetic view of the road.

3.0 Benefits of roadside tree planting

i. Tree planting enhances good landscape of the area which improves the aesthetic value of
the road.
ii. Trees have the capacity to reduce erosion by holding soil in place; trees have good root
systems that hold soil particles reducing the rate of soil erosion caused by wind and water.
iii. Trees along roads also increase road stability by absorbing water and increase soil
compaction and stability of the immediate road surroundings.

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iv. The trees will provide timber, fuel, food (fruits) and medicine that can be used by the
communities in several ways to improve their wellbeing.
v. Trees have the capacity to hold and reduce the speed of strong winds because of their large
crowns thus will help in safeguarding built structures.
vi. Tree leaves have the ability to trap dust and particulate matter generated by traffic thus
reducing dust released to people’s homesteads.
vii. Trees also provide habitat to very many pollinators which benefit the farmers in the area to
enhance agricultural productivity.

4.0 Roadside tree planting process

Seedlings of Ficus benjamina, Mangifera indica and Persia sp were planted along both sides of
the road stretch. Prior to commencement of the project, all local council leaders and community
members were informed about the tree planting exercise that was to be done along the road. The
following steps were taken during the tree planting exercise;

i. Pitting
Several pits were dug along the road stretch in a way that distributed the seedlings along the
road. Medium sized pits of (1.5x1.5) Feet were dug using hoes and / or pick axes to
accommodate the trees’ root system. The pit spacing was always adjusted for areas with
hindrances such as obstruction from the community, rocks, existing trees, termite mounds and
electric poles and wires.

ii. Planting
A total of 30 seedlings was planted along the road stretch which was approximately 8.44
Kilometers and the seedlings were distributed along the road stretch. Soil pots were initially
removed to expose the rooting system of seedlings. Without tampering with the soil on the roots,
the seedling could then be inserted into the pit and using hands, the soil was put back into the pit.

Tree species Common name Number of seedlings

planted
Ficus benjamina Ficus/weeping fig 20
Persia sp Avocado 5
Mangifera indica Mango 5

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iii. Guarding
Planted seedlings were guarded using short wooden pegs, sisal ropes and sacks to reduce the
possibility of damage to the trees that could be caused by humans and animals.

PICTORIAL

Figure 1. Google image showing stretch of Busakya–Galamba–Jjagala Road.

Geographical coordinates of the road stretch

Point Latitude (0) Longitude (0)
Point A 0.50333 32.46869
Point B 0.50225 32.4548
Point C 0.50407 32.43298
Point D 0.52452 32.45373
Estimated road stretch: 8.44 km

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 Pitting.

Protecting planted seedlings.

The area Councillor participating in tree planting.

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5.0 Challenges
i. Some areas had pests like termites and animals especially goats that were likely to destroy
the seedling stem and leaves causing us not to plant in such areas.
ii. Some places had electric poles and wires installed and thus hindered planting near and
under them respectively.

6.0 Solutions
i. Areas with hindrances were skipped to plant in free spots.
ii. A protective barrier was put around each planted seedling to prevent damage by animals
and humans.

7.0 Discussion
Availability of land and fertile soils along the road enabled implementation of the tree planting
project. The community had loitering animals which made the seedlings prone to damage that
may be caused by browsing goats, sheep and cattle. Survival of the trees will be attributed to
subsequent monitoring and maintenance activities like spot weeding, pest and disease
management among others.

8.0 Conclusion
Roadside tree planting will lead to restoration of vegetation lost during light grading of this
murram road. If substantial survival of trees is attained at maturity, the trees will be able to yield
associated impacts and benefits such as fruit production, firewood and the environmental non-
tangible benefits such as fresh air, shade, aesthetic beauty, carbon sequestration, reduced runoff,
enhanced roads, and reduced dust to homesteads.

9.0 Recommendation
i. Monitoring should be done to assess performance of the planted trees. This will establish
which post-planting activities like replacement, weeding, pruning, disease and pest
management need to be carried out.
ii. More resources should be allocated for planting more trees along the road as thirty trees
were not enough to yield a significant positive benefit.
iii. A bylaw should be enacted to control loitering animals in Gombe Division.

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Matovu Brian
Environment Officer

Copy: Town clerk-Nansana Municipal Council

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