Kampala, Uganda: The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom R. Butime, has gazetted temporary management measures placing Bugoma, Echuya and Bukaleba Central Forest Reserves under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The temporary measures, issued under Section 28 of the Uganda Wildlife Act, Cap. 315, will remain in force for six months while Parliament considers the declaration of the three Central Forest Reserves as Wildlife Conservation Areas.
According to the gazetted notice, UWA has been mandated to assume responsibility for the management and protection of the three forests during the interim period.
The Authority will deploy personnel to secure the reserves, strengthen boundary protection, prevent encroachment and illegal exploitation of forest resources, restore degraded areas, reinforce law enforcement, promote research and tourism, conduct community sensitisation, and coordinate with relevant government agencies to complete the gazettement process.
The move is part of broader government efforts to enhance the conservation of some of Uganda’s most ecologically significant forest ecosystems.
Welcoming the development, UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi said the temporary management measures provide the legal basis for the Authority to safeguard the forests as the process of upgrading them to Wildlife Conservation Areas progresses.
“The gazetted measures provide the legal framework for the Authority to safeguard the three ecologically important forests while the process of their declaration as Wildlife Conservation Areas is finalised,” Dr. Musinguzi said.
He appealed to local communities, political leaders and other stakeholders to work closely with UWA during the implementation of the temporary management measures.
According to the Authority, community cooperation will be essential in preventing illegal activities and ensuring the long-term conservation of the forests.
The three reserves are among Uganda’s important biodiversity hotspots.
Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, located in western Uganda, is home to chimpanzees and several other threatened wildlife species and has been at the centre of conservation debates in recent years due to concerns over forest degradation and land use.
Echuya Central Forest Reserve, situated in south-western Uganda between Kisoro and Kabale districts, supports unique montane ecosystems and is internationally recognised for its biodiversity, including several endemic bird species.
Bukaleba Central Forest Reserve, located in eastern Uganda along the shores of Lake Victoria, provides critical habitat for wildlife while supporting ecological functions such as watershed protection and climate regulation.
Government says strengthening protection of the three forests will help conserve biodiversity, promote eco-tourism and support sustainable natural resource management.
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