Kikuube, Uganda: The Ministry of Water and Environment has officially handed over the management of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve to Uganda Wildlife Authority in a major conservation shift aimed at stopping rampant forest destruction and paving the way for the reserve’s possible upgrade into a national park.
The handover, presided over by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni, follows a February 23, 2026 presidential directive which ordered for stronger protection measures for the forest amid rising concerns over illegal logging, charcoal burning, encroachment, and land disputes.
“On behalf of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Government of Uganda, I hereby officially transfer the management of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve from the Ministry of Water and Environment to Uganda Wildlife Authority under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities,” Nabbanja declared during the official handover ceremony held at Kikuube District Headquarters on Saturday, May 09, 2026.
Gazetted in 1932, Bugoma Central Forest Reserve spans approximately 41,144 hectares and is one of Uganda’s most ecologically significant tropical forests, hosting chimpanzees, other wildlife species, and critical biodiversity ecosystems.
Nabbanja said government would work with the Ministry of Lands and other relevant authorities to reopen and verify forest boundaries as part of efforts to reclaim and protect the reserve.
“Let the ministry be the one to tell us whether Hoima Sugar is outside the forest boundaries after proper verification. Nobody else has the authority to do that,” Nabbanja said.
“The Ministry of Lands, together with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and the relevant authorities, should carry out boundary opening. If there are any illegal certificates of title issued on the same land, they should be cancelled with immediate effect.”
The Prime Minister said compensation would only apply to individuals who owned land in the area before Bugoma was officially gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932.
She stressed that government would not tolerate further destruction of the forest, warning that continued degradation threatens the environment, climate, rainfall patterns, and public health. “We are here today to say NO to this destruction. I believe today marks the end of this degradation,” Nabbanja declared.
She also emphasized that Bugoma’s protection aligns with Uganda’s broader economic and tourism ambitions under the government’s tenfold growth strategy. “Protecting Bugoma is therefore a strategic investment,” she said.
Speaking to the media after the handover, UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi announced immediate deployment of rangers, drone surveillance, aerial monitoring, and patrol teams to secure the forest and crack down on illegal activities.
“The cardinal responsibility of this takeover is to stop all illegal activities currently taking place in the forest,” Dr Musinguzi said. “We are deploying personnel and equipment immediately. We shall have patrol teams on the ground, drones in the air, and aerial surveillance using our aircraft to monitor activities within the forest.”
The ED revealed that UWA had already witnessed widespread charcoal burning and illegal tree cutting during inspection tours inside the reserve and warned that all encroachers found carrying out illegal activities would be arrested and prosecuted.
The UWA boss further confirmed that government had begun the process of upgrading Bugoma into a national park, a move he said already enjoys support from local district leaders.
“As directed, the Ministry of Tourism will begin the process of transforming Bugoma Forest Reserve into a national park. That process will go through Cabinet and Parliament,” Musinguzi said.
The Minister for Tourism, Col Tom Butime welcomed the transfer, describing Bugoma as a critical ecological and tourism asset that requires stronger conservation protection.
“As the Ministry responsible for tourism and wildlife, we are committed to ensuring that this forest is properly protected, restored, and sustainably managed for future generations,” Butime said.
Kikuube District leaders led by Woman MP Florence Natumanya and Buhaguzi County MP Francis Twinomujuni Kazini also backed the takeover, saying the move gives fresh hope in the fight against illegal forest destruction and biodiversity loss.
Earlier in the day, Nabbanja, Butime, and UWA officials toured degraded sections of Kisindi Forest within Bugoma Reserve, where they found extensive charcoal burning and illegal logging activities.
During their spot check inspection, two suspects were arrested for allegedly cutting trees and burning charcoal inside the reserve, while UWA rangers also impounded a truck loaded with charcoal.
The Prime Minister directed strict enforcement measures against individuals found degrading the forest and urged surrounding communities to actively participate in protecting the reserve.
The transfer of Bugoma Forest management to Uganda Wildlife Authority comes as a socioeconomic potential for Kikuube and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom at large as the authority will now look to revamp the protected area and it’s reserves to conserve both the wildlife and trees within the forest.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
