Residents Accuse National Forestry Authority of Collusion in Bugoma Forest Destruction
Residents of Kaseeta and Nyairongo villages near the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in Kikuube district have raised serious allegations against officials from the National Forestry Authority (NFA). Accusing them of conniving with individuals intent on destroying the forest, community leaders claim that the NFA officials are facilitating illicit activities such as crop farming, timber cutting, and charcoal burning within the protected area.
According to community leaders in Kabwoya and Kyangwali sub-counties, the forest land is allegedly being leased out for crop farming at a rate of 300,000 shillings per season, primarily to maize farmers. Additionally, they claim that several acres have been leased to an Indian investor, the proprietor of the Hoima Sugar factory, for sugar cane cultivation. These actions, reportedly fueled by bribes termed as “network,” have led to rampant illegal charcoal burning and timber cutting, depleting the forest and frustrating conservation efforts.
Deo Asaba, a resident of Kaseeta village, expressed his frustration, stating, “The forest is being destroyed totally. They are cutting down the forest, people burning charcoal, and cutting timber. The forest is finished.”
When contacted, NFA communication specialist Julie Mubi refrained from commenting, citing an ongoing court case related to the contested areas under Bugoma management. Mubi neither confirmed nor denied the involvement of NFA staff in the alleged activities, emphasizing the legal dispute.
The residents’ concerns extend beyond environmental conservation, as they rely on the forest for essential resources like firewood and medicinal plants. Moreover, the destruction has increased human-wildlife conflicts, with animals such as monkeys, chimpanzees, elephants, and Uganda Kob venturing into villages, damaging crops and threatening the safety of residents.
The villagers also pointed out the adverse effects on water sources, with rivers Rutowa and Hohwa, originating from Bugoma forest, reportedly drying up due to ongoing destruction.
Desire Nkurunziza, the Nyairongo LCI Chairperson, made a grave allegation that individuals involved in illegal activities within the forest are guarded by armed men. Despite the risks associated with verifying this claim on the ground, the residents call for urgent intervention from the government to address the environmental degradation.
Women in Kaseeta and Nyairongo have appealed for assistance in replanting trees, emphasizing the impact of the forest’s depletion on their daily lives. They highlight restrictions on accessing the forest for collecting essential resources and the economic hardship caused by the ban on entering the forest.
As the accusations against NFA officials continue to mount, the situation in Bugoma forest raises serious questions about environmental conservation, governance, and the need for swift action to protect this vital ecosystem.