Kikuube leaders, community unite to protect Bugoma Forest Reserve

Kikuube: In a landmark move to preserve the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, Kikuube District leaders held a high-level meeting on Thursday with the National Anti-Wildlife Crime Coordination Task Force.

The meeting brought together a multi-agency delegation including officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Uganda Police Force (UPF), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), National Forestry Authority (NFA), and INTERPOL.

The delegation was officially received at the district headquarters by Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Angalia Godwin and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Canon Edward Musingye.

During the meeting, the parties reaffirmed a united stance in launching a coordinated and intensified effort to protect Bugoma Forest, a critical ecological asset in the region.

Following the meeting, the delegation visited Kabwooya Subcounty, one of the areas hosting part of the forest reserve. There, they engaged with local leaders and community members to address pressing issues threatening the forest ecosystem.

Discussions centered around community engagement and education on conservation, the importance of integrity and accountability in forest management and the need for collective responsibility and collaboration among all stakeholders.

“We urge the District Security Committee to work together to save Bugoma Forest,” said Major Masereje Samuel, acting chairman of the task force. “This is a collective effort that requires commitment and cooperation from all stakeholders.”

Representatives from Hoima Sugar Industries Ltd, also present during the visit, pledged cooperation with the task force and denied any ownership of maize gardens found within the disputed areas of company land.

The task force committed to intensifying patrols and law enforcement efforts to combat encroachment and illegal activities within the forest reserve.

RDC Angalia noted that while Bugoma Forest was largely intact by 2020, it has since seen significant degradation, with maize gardens now dominating previously forested areas. He assured the public that the security agencies will remain vigilant and committed to reversing this trend.

He also encouraged residents to embrace government livelihood programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, as sustainable alternatives to forest exploitation.

In a hopeful conclusion, both community members and their leaders acknowledged the forest as their “life source” and pledged to support its preservation.

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