After eviction of communities from Kagombe Central Forest Reserve in western Uganda by the National Forestry Authority of Uganda, many people were left homeless and with no income to support them access the basic needs and also support their children acquire at least basic education since they depended on the forest for agriculture production and charcoal burning for family income.
Kitara Civil Society Organizations’ Network (KCSON) with support from WWF under the project “Natural Forest Regeneration for Enhanced Carbon Stocks” (FRECAR) has supported communities adjacent the forest reserve with nature-based enterprises such as mushroom growing which has worked as a game changer for most community members who had lost hope after being left with no land to do farming as source of household food and income.
The groups are able to earn 15 to 20 dollars from mushroom sales per week. Collections per week form group revolving fund which is accessed by each group member payable with a small interest agreed by the group.