The UNODC organized a National Training Needs Assessment Workshop in Jinja, Uganda to strengthen the country’s efforts against deforestation. The training, funded by the EU, brought together representatives from the National Forestry Authority, Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Tourism, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, and Financial Intelligence Authority, among other agencies.

The workshop focused on strengthening law enforcement, improving capacity to investigate and prosecute forest crimes, enhancing organizational capacity, and improving coordination with international agencies. This is a crucial step to protect Uganda’s forests while equipping teams with the necessary skills to combat environmental challenges.