Attitudes of Out-of-School Youths towards Tree Planting Activities in Central Uganda: A Case Study of Masaka District

Abstract

This study assessed the attitudes of out-of-school youths towards tree planting activities in Masaka district, centralUganda. Data were collected using 104 semi-structured questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to show theinfluence of demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents on their attitudes towards treeplanting. Summative attitudes index varied from 320 for those who liked very much tree planting activities to 6 forthose who disliked very much tree planting activities. Opinions on willingness to plant and tender trees also variedwidely from summative index of 305 for those who would very much plant and manage the trees to 5 for those whowould very much not plant and manage the trees. Sex, age, education, occupation, distance to the nearest tradingcentre and land ownership significantly contributed to variation in the attitudes. Factors such as lack of capital;land and tree tenure security; long payback period from planted trees; bad beliefs, taboos and superstitions aboutcertain trees hindered out-of-school youths’ efforts. There is a need to develop clear policies and by-laws to guideand induce the out-of-school youths to plant trees as a livelihood opportunity.