Kiggundu Tonny Ssali

P.O.Box 5498 Kampala

Mob. +256 701-118431

24th October 2019

Programme Coordinator,
Eduardo Mondlane University)

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: APPLICATION FOR PHD VACANCY IN FORESTRY RESOURCES

In reference to the above, I hereby submit my application for a PhD scholarship
in Forestry Resources at Eduardo Mondlane University.

I am an agro-ecologist with a Masters of Science in Agro-ecology (MSc. AE) from

Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) where I gained knowledge in integrated
natural resources management and understanding agriculture using a system-
wide approach. I am also a social scientist with a Bachelors degree from
Makerere University. I worked with Water and Sanitation Development Facility
(WSDF-Southwestern) since January 2006 to March 2007 as a mobilization
and sanitation Graduate Trainee, Project Administrator of Agroecoprac Project,
Assistant Lecturer with the Faculty of Agriculture at Uganda Martyrs
University where I facilitated on Bachelors of Agriculture and MSc Agro-ecology
programs. Currently I work as the Senior Assistant Registrar (Campuses and
Affiliations) and Sports Tutor at Uganda Martyrs University.

With the knowledge, skills and experience I have gained in various fields above
including implementation, coordination, administration, monitoring and
Evaluation of Agroecoprac Project at UMU funded by Sida, I will be able to
undertake this postgraduate programme in Forestry Resources at Eduardo
Mondlane University.

I will be very grateful if I am considered for this position.

Yours faithfully,

…………………………
Kiggundu Tonny Ssali
ktssali@umu.ac.ug or ktonnyssali@yahoo.co.uk
Proposed Title for PhD research:
.
Researcher: Kiggundu Tonny Ssali
Email: ktssali@umu.ac.ug / ktonnyssali@yahoo.co.uk
Background
Woodlots activity in Uganda is one of the highly growing economic activities
replacing natural forestry in Uganda. Eucalyptus and pine are species highly
demanded for both soft and hard wood respectively. Adoption of these species
has been accelerated by their short growth period and both domestic and
commercial use.
Several varieties of such species have been introduced to the country to suit all
conditions and soils types i.e. eucalyptus for wetlands, rocky soils and the
mainland. Such have deprived households of their food production lands and
also compromised natural vegetation survival.

The study will help to highlight environment effects of the agroforestry system
in Uganda and also contribute towards identifying species that are of same
economic value but less detrimental to the environment. This study will
therefore contribute to designing and coming up with adaptive strategies to
climate change in Uganda.
Problem statement
Accelerating desertification coupled with climate change in Uganda are some of
the contributing factors to hunger, poverty and environmental degradation
within the region. According to Gliessman, (2006), in his 2 nd edition titled “the
ecology of sustainable food systems, the systems of agricultural production in
most parts of the world are largely unsustainable. These systems cannot
support livelihoods for the global population over the long term because they
deteriorate the conditions that make agricultural production possible.
Agriculture is the anchor for many livelihood and mainly the rural communities
that solely rely on agriculture as the only means of survival and this is done at
the expense of natural forest encroachment. Agricultural land has been turned
into Agroforestry land where “quick money” has been realized from eucalyptus
and pine plantations. This has threatened food security and safety in Uganda,
natural forestry being replaced by monoculture in the sense of economic
growth for example in Kalangala where a natural forest has been replaced with
palm plantation for palm oil production. This has subjected the country and
the entire region to longer than before droughts and short heavy rains.

The study will focus on underlying issues of agricultural development such as

agroforestry, monoculture, infrastructural development, trade and investment
policies and law enforcement, as well as Compliance laws and policies. This will
in turn help the research in designing copping and adaptive strategies towards
climate change in Uganda.
Research Objectives
1. To assess the economic viability and environment carrying capacity of
woodlots in Uganda.
2. To evaluate management and conservation strategies of natural forestry
systems in Uganda.
3. To assess adaptive and copping strategies in mitigating climate change
stresses.
Research questions
1. What is the economic viability and environmental carrying capacity of
woodlots in Uganda?
2. How has Uganda managed and conserved her natural forestry?
3. What are the copping and mitigation strategies in Uganda towards climate
change?

Outputs
• Harnessing forests’ alternative tree species and woodlots for climate change
adaptation
• Contribute to communities in understanding threats of tree species and
formulate genetic conservation strategies in Uganda.
• Revived cultural values towards conservation and mitigation of natural
forestry resource base.
Literature review
Scholarly publications in the field of effects of woodlots, development, adoption
and adaptation to climate change will be consulted. The study will contribute
to bridging the gap that has been left by previous researchers in the same field
using action research approaches.
Significance
The study will contribute to new knowledge and adverse effects of climate
change especially about common practices by communities both local and
commercial to maximise profits. The study will therefore develop detailed
information about copping and adaptive strategies towards climate change.
Such may be a foundation and reference for other researchers in related
studies.
Justification
Several efforts have been taken to curb climate both scholarly and informal,
however some of which have accelerated and escalated the problem. Therefore,
copping and adapting strategies need to be identified as we come up with
measures to save the situation.
Methodology and materials
• Baseline assessment –to establish extent of problem using secondary data
• Selection of study areas – areas that have been severely affected by climate
change
• Community mobilization and training –participatory tools (Participatory
approach)
• Identification of the greatly affected families
• Monitoring and evaluation of progress
• Data collection and analysis
References
1. Gliessman S. R (2006), Agroecology: The ecology of sustainable food
systems. 2nd Edition 15th November 2006, CRC Press.