The continuous encroachment and degradation of forests and the related human activities within the lake shores, river banks and catchment areas have resulted into; complete loss of tree and vegetation cover further leading to soil erosion and siltation of the water bodies thus changing their ecological, social and economic functions. The degradation has also negatively impacted on the community livelihoods by affecting the agricultural productivity due to prolonged droughts, reduced soil fertility and crop yields as well as affecting the fish yields.

In order to mitigate the above problem, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has started restoration of the water catchment areas with the initial focus on L.Victoria shores and R.Nile banks which are heavily encroached and L.Nakivale shores which are severely degraded due to refuge settlement and consequent encroachment. The restoration is covering the lake and river catchment areas in the districts of: Rakai, Masaka, Mpigi, Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja, Mayuge, Bugiri, Busia, Kayunga, Kamuli and Isingiro (Nakivale settlement). A total of 637 Acres of land have so been planted with 314200 tree seedlings comprising of Musizi (Maesopsis eminii)), Terminalia, and Grivellea Robusta.
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