"Protecting Uganda's 'Women's Gold': The Fight to Save Shea Nut Trees"

Fri Oct 24 2025 15:19:54 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Mustafa Gerima leads a grassroots movement in Uganda to safeguard shea nut trees, essential for both local livelihoods and environmental health.

Once abundant in Uganda, shea nut trees are rapidly disappearing due to charcoal production and climate change. Mustafa Gerima, an environmental activist, is motivating local communities to protect these valuable trees, which produce shea butter, an important source of income for women. Despite challenges from poverty and urbanization, initiatives to plant and preserve shea trees are gaining traction.

In Uganda, the fight to save shea nut trees, vital for producing shea butter—dubbed "women's gold"—is being championed by Mustafa Gerima, a former biology teacher. Disheartened by the state of the environment upon his return home six years ago, he has dedicated himself to environmental activism aimed at halting the rampant deforestation caused by the demand for charcoal, which many locals see as more lucrative than shea oil extraction.

Gerima, affectionately known as "Mr Shea," has been tirelessly walking through villages in north-west Uganda, raising awareness about the plight of shea trees. He recalls a time when the shea nut tree thrived but now faces existential threats, exacerbated by climate change and ongoing issues of poverty that compel communities to rely on immediate economic gains from cutting down the trees.

Uganda's deforestation rate is alarming, with approximately 100,000 hectares of forest lost annually, largely impacting shea nut tree populations. Local shea butter producer Mariam Chandiru reflects this struggle, as her production capabilities have drastically declined, impacting her income and her family's wellbeing. The importance of shea nuts extends beyond the local economy, with the trees traditionally maintained and harvested by women.

Professor John Bosco Okullo, an agroforestry expert, points out the long-term implications of past conflicts and instability that have led to a loss of community stewardship over these trees. The past turmoil experienced in northern Uganda due to conflicts allowed short-term financial needs to overshadow sustainable practices for tree management.

Despite the grim circumstances, there is hope as grassroots initiatives are underway to address these challenges. Gerima’s notable 644 km trek in 2020 from Kampala to Nairobi garnered attention for the need to conserve shea trees. Activists and non-governmental organizations are mobilizing local communities to plant and nurture shea trees actively.

With the recognition of the tree's significance, the government has implemented a ban on cutting shea trees for charcoal. However, inconsistent enforcement persists, highlighting the urgent need to develop alternative energy resources to alleviate the charcoal demand.

Gerima's vision encompasses not only conservation but also intergenerational responsibility. He argues for a collective effort within the community to safeguard shea trees, emphasizing the importance of teaching young generations about the environmental and cultural value of these trees. Moving forward, he plans to launch a grassroots tree-monitoring initiative and incorporate conservation education into local schools, reinforcing a commitment to preserving both the trees and the livelihoods they sustain.