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Wales scraps controversial Uganda tree-planting scheme
The Welsh government will end its funding for a tree-planting scheme in eastern Uganda when its current grant expires on 31 March 2027. Ministers cite budget pressures and say the decision reflects a need to reconsider how limited funds are spent, rather than a judgement on the project’s quality.
The scheme, run by the climate charity Size of Wales with Indigenous and local communities, has received part of more than £4 million in Welsh government support for the charity since 2015. It has planted 25 million trees around Mount Elgon, where tree planting is said to help protect people from landslides. Right-wing parties welcomed the cut, while left-wing parties criticised it; the Welsh government says it is developing a new international strategy.
In short
- Wales will end funding for the Uganda scheme in March 2027.
- The project has planted 25 million trees around Mount Elgon.
- Ministers say budget pressures drove the decision, not concerns about the work.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ending the grant could be a responsible response to budget pressures: ministers must decide how limited public money can do the most good, and the expiry of the current grant offers a point to review priorities. Developing a new international strategy may allow Wales to direct support where it believes it can have greater impact, without implying that this scheme lacked value.
The case against
Continuing the grant could be justified by the scheme’s reported record of planting 25 million trees with Indigenous and local communities in an area where trees can help protect people from landslides. Withdrawing support risks disrupting a long-running partnership and losing benefits for both local communities and climate efforts; critics may also question the timing if a replacement international strategy is still being developed.
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