International Journal of Life Science and Agriculture Research

This article examines the interactions between forest actors in the Najjembe area of Mabira Forest, Uganda, with a particular focus on how livelihoods, governance, and conservation practices intersect. Using the Action-in-Context (AiC) framework, the study analyses the actions, motivations, and options of key actors, including forest-adjacent communities, the National Forestry Authority (NFA), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), political leaders, and the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited (SCOUL). Drawing on qualitative methods such as participant observation and conversational interviews with community members, forest officials, and corporate actors, the article documents both problem-driven and strength-based narratives shaping forest use. Findings show that local livelihoods are deeply dependent on forest resources through subsistence farming, market trade, tourism-related activities, and informal extraction, while structural constraints such as land pressure, declining agricultural yields, weak extension services, and inconsistent industrial regulation intensify pressure on the forest. Yet, positive practices-including community whistleblowing, sustainable farming, local tourism initiatives, and collaborative conservation efforts-demonstrate existing capacities for stewardship. The article argues that effective forest conservation in Najjembe requires moving beyond problem-focused approaches towards strategies that deliberately recognise, strengthen, and scale local positive actions while addressing governance and accountability gaps.

Forest-actor interactions; Community livelihoods; Action-in-Context framework; Forest governance; Sustainable forest conservation

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