From forest giants to ghosts: The rapid disappearance of Uganda’s Mvule trees

At dawn in many parts of eastern Uganda and beyond, the land tells a quiet story of absence.

Beneath the swaying branches of Uganda’s Mvule trees, communities once found shelter, sustenance, and a sense of identity, known for their tall, majestic trunks and sturdy golden-brown timber. But today, these giants are quietly disappearing, their roots pulled from the land at an alarming rate.

What was once a symbol of Uganda’s rich natural heritage is now teetering on the brink of extinction. From the hills of Mbale to the heart of Eastern Uganda, Mvule trees — once abundant in…