The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has taken over the management of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, in a bid to curb widespread degradation and encroachment of Uganda’s most ecologically significant forest.
Over the weekend, Prime Minster Robinah Nabbanja announced the takeover during a meeting in Kikuube district, noting that it will help restore and protect the ecosystem after years of destruction from encroachers, widespread charcoal burning and illegal logging.
“With the powers entrusted to me, I direct that UWA takes charge of Bugoma Forest and enforces its protection role. All people within the forest must be evicted with immediate effect” she said.
The move follows a presidential directive transferring management of the forest from National Forestry Authority (NFA) under the Ministry of Water and Environment to UWA under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
Nabbanja further revealed that compensation would only be paid to people who occupied the forest before it was gazetted as a central forest reserve.
“Only people who occupied the area before 1932 will be allowed to remain on their land,” she said.
Bugoma Forest, which spans 41,144 hectares, was gazetted as a central forest reserve in 1932.
“Bugoma Forest is very important for rainfall formation, carbon absorption, and environmental protection. Once forests are destroyed, people suffer from unnecessary diseases and climate-related challenges,” she said.
Nabanjja further ordered the cancellation of all illegally acquired land titles within the forest reserve and called for the arrest of individuals found to have illegally obtained such titles.
According to the minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butiime, the increased pressure on the forest called for government intervention to safeguard the ecosystem, where government expects UWA to use its paramilitary ranger force to curb illegal activities.
“Government expects UWA to use its paramilitary ranger force to curb illegal logging and charcoal burning in the forest reserve. Government also intends to implement aggressive reforestation programs to restore degraded sections of the forest while promoting Bugoma as a major eco-tourism destination, especially for primate tracking” he said.
The Executive Director of UWA, Dr. James Musinguzi, who warned that anyone found carrying out illegal activities within the forest boundaries would be arrested and prosecuted, revealed that deployment of enforcement teams had already begun.
“We are deploying personnel on the ground, using drones and aerial surveillance to monitor activities in the forest. Illegal charcoal burning, timber cutting, and farming will stop immediately” he said.
Dr Musinguzi further revealed that the transition would not only focus on law enforcement, but would also promote community-led conservation initiatives aimed at ensuring local residents benefit from conservation efforts.
In the February 2026 directive, President Museveni ordered for the immediate end to the degradation, deforestation, and encroachment on Bugoma Forest Reserve.
He further directed the Chief of Defence Forces to investigate allegations that UPDF personnel are involved in the destruction of the forest and ordered the immediate eviction of all encroachers and reiterated that compensation would not be considered.
Additionally, Museveni also proposed upgrading Bugoma Forest Reserve into a national park to strengthen its protection.
