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Once celebrated as one of Uganda’s richest biodiversity hotspots, Bugoma Forest Reserve has lost much of its former glory.
Over the years, illegal maize growers, charcoal burners and loggers have chipped away at the forest, threatening its unique flora and fauna. Official records indicate that Bugoma covered 41,144 hectares when it was gazetted in 1932.
Today, large portions have been decimated, partly due to sugarcane plantations by Hoima Sugar, an investor claiming to hold a land title on the forest land. Among the trees lost is the forest’s iconic mahogany, a highly sought-after timber on the global market.
Bugoma also serves as one of the rare habitats for chimpanzees in the Albertine Rift region. On May 9, 2026, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja presided over the transfer of Bugoma Forest from the Ministry of Water and Environment to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
She opened the boundaries for inspection and warned that “all encroachers—small, big, or extra large, will be evicted without exception and without compensation.”
The Prime Minister emphasized, “Any illegal certificates or titles should be cancelled. If any local leaders were involved in selling parts of the forest land to Hoima Sugar, they’ll refund the money.”
During an impromptu visit to some of the degraded areas, Nabbanja expressed shock at the ongoing illegal activities.
“There’s a lot of impunity. You can see people burning charcoal and cutting our valued trees illegally. This is the end of such activities,” she said.
Bugoma was previously managed by the National Forest Authority (NFA), which returned it to the Ministry of Water and Environment in 2024 following the nationalization of government agencies.
Critics blame the NFA for the forest’s degradation, citing weak enforcement and corruption among former managers. Visible destruction of the forest began in 2018, sparking national concern among environmentalists, the media, and civil society groups.
The issue reached the attention of President Museveni, who directed the Prime Minister to halt the forest’s destruction and hand over management to UWA for restoration and protection.
The deforestation in Bugoma forest is unmissable
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In a directive to Nabbanja on February 22, 2026, President Museveni revealed that some army officers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) were involved in illegal charcoal burning.
Nabbanja subsequently asked the Commander of the Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to investigate. As of May 9, the Prime Minister said she had not yet received a report from the army commander. With the transfer to UWA, Bugoma has also been upgraded to a National Park.
Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Tom Butime, expressed confidence that UWA is capable of handling the task. Dr. James Musinguzi, UWA executive director, said the authority will immediately deploy drones, vehicles, and foot patrols to halt illegal activities.
“We will also engage surrounding communities through meetings and media campaigns to sensitize them about the importance of preserving Bugoma Forest,” he said.
Looking ahead, Musinguzi said that UWA may consider the use of electric fences in some areas to reduce human- wildlife conflicts.
Related
, https://observer.ug/news/can-uwa-save-and-restore-bugoma-forest/
