Our plantations sit beside the communities of the Nyungwe buffer zone. These are the programmes we run with them, and how to reach us if something is wrong.
UFCL is certified to the FSC standard, which asks every certified forest to contribute to the social and economic development of local communities, provide local jobs and training, and offer a fair way to raise and resolve concerns.
Through Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA), UFCL identifies the needs and expectations of the people around its forests and decides with them which areas to support.
2,000+
People employed across FY23 and FY24
330,000
Seedlings planted, FY23/24
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Staff hired from the sectors where we operate
[Confirm] %
Women in the workforce
Sources: UFCL Sustainability Reports FY22 and FY23/24.
We have implemented projects to improve the livelihoods of the communities and employees around the buffer zone. Programmes listed in the Forest Management Plan 2022–2026 and the Sustainability Reports.
[Confirm] people reached
Beekeeping cooperatives
Apiculture groups working in and around the plantations, supported by UFCL.
[Confirm] people reached
Village savings and loan associations
Community savings groups set up with the people who live and work beside the forest.
[Confirm] people reached
Outgrower support
UFCL seedlings and advice for farmers who plant their own woodlots.
[Confirm] people reached
Clean water
Water supply projects in the Gatare and Buruhukiro sectors.
[Confirm] people reached
Health posts and schools
Contributions to health posts and school buildings in the communities around the concession.
2,000+ people
Local jobs and training
More than 2,000 people employed across FY23 and FY24, most from the sectors where we operate.
Outgrowers around the plantations on what planting with UFCL changed for them.
Uwanyirigira Shadia
Outgrower
Dusabumuremyi Innocent
Outgrower
Mukashema Clémentine
Outgrower
Videos play from UFCL’s YouTube channel when you press play.
If our work affects your land, your home or your job, tell us. Every complaint is written into our complaints register and handled under our complaint and dispute resolution procedure until it is closed.
- Who handles it
- [Confirm] name of the Community Development Officer or grievance contact
- When you hear back
- [Confirm] how soon people hear back
In person
Our Community Development Officer
Works with the communities around our plantations. You can also speak to any UFCL site manager.
Head office
Grand Pension Plaza, 2 KN 3 Ave, 4th Floor, Kigali
How a concern is handled
- 01
You raise it
By phone, email or in person, with our Community Development Officer or a site manager.
- 02
We record it
Your concern goes into our complaints register, so it can be followed up and checked.
- 03
We look into it with you
Our community team discusses it with you. For land and boundary questions, Rwanda Forestry Authority and local leaders have joined these discussions.
- 04
We resolve and close it
We agree a resolution with you and close the case in the register. Where our work damaged your property, we compensate you.
On the record
- FY23/24
About 5 complaints from communities in Nyamagabe District about the boundary between the concession and their plots. All were settled through discussions facilitated by Rwanda Forestry Authority and the local administration of Kitabi and Uwinkingi.
Sustainability Report FY23/24 - FY22
Harvesting damaged a few community gardens. UFCL compensated the people affected.
Sustainability Report FY22