ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the evolution of institutions for forest and wildlife conservation in Uganda, with a focus on both continuities and discontinuities between the colonial organization and growth phases, early post-colonial consolidation and collapse phases, and contemporary reorganization phase. It shows a forestry sector that has had a checkered history. Despite the rich biodiversity and long history of sedentary settlement, cultivation and pastoralism, there has been very little historical account of how land/wildlife/forest resources were managed during the pre-colonial period in Uganda. Crown land earmarked for the establishment of the protected area estate in 1900 was assumed to be devoid of people. To ensure that the reserve boundaries were known and respected by everyone across subsequent generations, the Department planted luwanyi. Expatriate forest officers left the country on achievement of independence and were replaced by Ugandan professional foresters who were able to continue the implementation of the 1948 Forest Policy.
