The takeover by UWA places conservation enforcement at the center of its management, with authorities now framing forest protection not as a choice, but as a national responsibility.
By Chowoo Willy
KIKUUBE — The government has officially handed over the management of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), marking the beginning of a renewed crackdown on illegal activities threatening one of Uganda’s critical forest ecosystems.
The handover, presided over by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni, signals a major policy shift aimed at strengthening forest protection through stricter enforcement.
During an inspection tour of the forest ahead of the official ceremony at Kikuube District Council Hall, Nabbanja expressed concern over widespread destruction, particularly illegal logging and charcoal burning.
Her concerns were immediately reinforced on the ground, as UWA rangers arrested two suspects found burning charcoal and impounded a truck loaded with forest produce. Authorities said enforcement operations would intensify with immediate effect.
“We must take firm action,” Nabbanja said, warning that all encroachers must vacate the forest without compensation, adding that investigations into alleged involvement of security personnel in illegal activities are ongoing.
The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butime, issued a stern warning to all illegal occupants, urging them to leave the reserve or face the full force of the law.
UWA Board Chair Prof James Kalema, who led the authority’s top management to Kisindi Forest Station for a pre-handover assessment, said the agency is prepared to restore order and protect the forest’s biodiversity.
According to Bugoma Range Commander Boaz Bsigirenda, more than 364 cases of illegal activities have been recorded in the forest since 2016, underscoring the scale of degradation.
“This handover is a critical step toward reversing the damage and securing the forest for future generations,” Bsigirenda noted.
Despite the tough stance, government officials emphasized that community access will not be entirely restricted. Commissioner George Owoyesigire said UWA will maintain structured engagement with local communities, allowing regulated access to certain resources such as firewood upon formal request.
Bugoma Forest, which has in recent years faced pressure from encroachment, agriculture, and charcoal trade, is a key ecological asset supporting wildlife habitats, water catchment systems, and climate regulation.
The takeover by UWA places conservation enforcement at the center of its management, with authorities now framing forest protection not as a choice, but as a national responsibility.
With arrests already made on day one, the message from government is clear: the era of impunity in Bugoma Forest is coming to an end.
