The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has officially taken over the protection and management of the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve following a directive from Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni aimed at strengthening conservation efforts and halting ongoing degradation and encroachment.
The handover ceremony, at the Kikuube District headquarters, was led by Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
“The government could not continue to watch the endless degradation of Bugoma Forest. This handover reflects our commitment to safeguarding Uganda’s natural heritage and ensuring this crucial ecosystem is preserved for generations to come,” Nabbanja said.
She instructed the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to accelerate efforts to upgrade Bugoma Forest to national park status and called for the eviction of encroachers from the forest without compensation in line with the presidential directive.
The ministry said the forest will be managed under a general management plan developed with stakeholders to ensure sustainable use of forest resources by neighbouring communities.
Following the handover, the UWA deployed staff to the forest to strengthen protection, monitoring and enforcement against illegal activities. The authority will also assess the extent of degradation before developing a restoration and management plan.
