Hoima resolves UWA takes over Bugoma, Budongo forests from NFA amidst fear of flimsy compensation laws

Mr Jackson Mulindambuura, the Kiganja Sub-county Councillor, deliberating in the Hoima District Council meeting at Kasiingo Cell in East Division, Hoima City. The councillors resolved that UWA takes over supervision of Bugoma and Budongo forests. (Image: Gad Asaba/Kazi-njema News)

In spite of the fear of animal attacks from the game park and the wildlife-human conflict, Hoima district councillors have voted in favour of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) taking over Bugoma and Budongo central forest reserves from the National Forestry Authority (NFA).

Bugoma and Budongo forest reserves are situated in Kikuube and Masindi and Buliisa districts respectively in Bunyoro region.

The motion was Wednesday moved by the district vice chairman cum Buhanika sub-county councillor, Mr Benson Chiche Rukumba, during an extra-ordinary meeting at the district headquarters, Kasiingo cell in West Division, Hoima city.

During the meeting, most councillors looked ignorant about the matter until the Principal Wildlife Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Mr Leone Chandia, to the floor and lectured them about the move.

While there, the district councillor for Kisukuma sub-county, Mr John Kwemara, rejected the motion saying wild animals straying from Murchison (Kabaleega) Falls National Park destroy his crops many times a year at Kigangara village in Kigumba sub-county, Masindi district.

He said despite the destruction, UWA has at no any single time ever compensated him despite his endeavours.

Mr Kwemara feared that once UWA takes over Bugoma forest, farmers neighbouring them will suffer as they will be injured and their crops and houses destroyed by wild animals in the conservation area given that they do not know the Community Conservation Policy of UWA in addressing issues of people affected by wild animals.

The councillor was also afraid whether Bugoma forest land will not be grabbed by dishonesty people as it is the case in Hoima district; once the forest changes hands from NFA to UWA.

Audio: Kwemara against UWA take over of Bugoma and Budongo forests (English)

During the meeting, Mr Chiche asked UWA to also take over Wambabya River forest that is reportedly already being encroached on yet it is a corridor with beautiful natural trees and grass for wild animals connecting to other parts of Bunyoro.

He argued that once UWA takes charge of the control and management of the river forest, encroachers who are already felling the natural trees in the beautiful stretch of the river that meanders westerly emptying into Lake Albert (Mwitanzige) will stop their act of environmental destruction unlike now when the ecosystem is being destroyed in the face of NFA as an ombudsman.

The politician predicts that if UWA does not take control of protecting the corridor, in few years to come, there will be a change in the rain pattern of Bunyoro.

Audio: Chiche on UWA take over of Bugoma and Budongo forests (English)

The Kiganja sub-county councillor, Mr Jackson Mulindambuura, said by taking over charge and turning Bugoma and Budongo forests and Wambabya River into a national park, UWA will ensure that the physical features and wildlife there are protected from destruction and extinction; allowing regeneration of the already destroyed fragile ecosystem.

He cited enhanced availability of medicinal herbs, regulation of harsh dry weather conditions through increased rainfall and carbon sequencing as major achievements once UWA embeds the three physical features into the circles of a national park.

Mr Mulindambuura wondered that though Bugoma forest is under the supervision of the NFA, a lot of encroachment is taking place with encroacher counter-accusations over lumbering, charcoal burning, cultivation and settlement.

He was optimistic that once UWA takes over, all encroachers will be forced out of the protected conservation area in form of a national park.

Mr Chandia, the principal wildlife officer, revealed that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities is making reforms in the Wildlife Protection Plan to ensure that game reserves and private forests are salvaged from extinction threats.

He was unhappy that after cutting down all their private forests for individual gain, people have resorted to destroying central forest reserves; arguing that once UWA takes over management of these forests, there will be universal benefit from them through tourism.

Mr Chandia castigated sugar companies engaged in destroying forests saying they are acting illegally.

Audio: Chandia on UWA take over of Bugoma and Budongo forests (English)

The Hoima district chairman, Mr Kadir Kirungi, was appreciative of the government initiative to upgrade forest reserves into national parks under UWA since the forests are being destroyed for individual gain.

Audio: Kirungi on UWA take over of Bugoma and Budongo forests (English)

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