By Johnson Kanyesige
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kikuube district Angalia Godwin has raised a red flag over the continuous encroachment and destruction of Bugoma Forest since 2020.
Angalia says maize gardens now dominate previously forested areas on top of tree harvesting for timber and charcoal among others and has now ordered all encroachers to vacate immediately.
Angalia while speaking to our reporter this evening says the forest is crucial in ensuring effective weather that supports farmers in the district adding that there are several regions which are already battling with poor conditions to support farming.
He has implored communities to embrace government livelihoods programs like PDM, Emyooga as sustainable alternatives to forest exploitation.
The Kikuube RDC follow a Wednesday meeting that involved security agencies UPDF, Uganda Police Force, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), district leaders, officials from NEMA, NFA ministry of water and environment on how to effectively protect the forest from destruction. The officials also met with the communities and their leaders in Kabwoya sub county.
The high-level meeting also involved officials from the National Anti-Wildlife Crime Coordination Task Force. In the meeting, Angalia assured the public that security remains vigilant and committed to reversing the trend of destroying the forest.
During the engagement, the stakeholders also reaffirmed a united stance in launching a coordinated and intensified effort to protect Bugoma Forest, a critical ecological asset.
The task force committed to intensifying patrols and law enforcement efforts to combat encroachment and illegal activities within the forest reserve.
