Tag Archives: Shortcomings natural resources-based economic growth Uganda

When
Winston Churchill visited Uganda at the start of the twentieth century, he was impressed by the biological
diversity, rivers and lakes, the fertility of the soil, abundant rainfall, moderate
climate and food variety.

In
1894 Uganda was declared a protectorate. It would raise revenue from its own resources
through producing export commodities starting with cotton and later coffee, tea
and tobacco. The extensive method of cultivation resulted in clearing large
swathes of vegetative cover. Producing food for an increasing population and
livestock grazing resulted in more vegetation being cleared.

To
protect the environment, the British administration designated forest and game
reserves. Cultivation and grazing in wetlands/swamps was also prohibited. Hill
tops and slopes were planted with trees to prevent soil erosion and floods. In
areas where agriculture took place in hilly areas as in Kabale, terracing was
encouraged to check water runoff and mud slides.

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