Conservationists are urging the government to disclose the boundary opening report for Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in Midwestern Uganda, which has been withheld since its completion in August 2022. The report, aimed at resolving disputes over illegal titles and occupants in the tropical forest reserve spanning Kikuube and Hoima districts, remains unpublished, leading to ongoing environmental degradation.
Environmental activists emphasize that the delay in releasing the report is exacerbating the destruction of the reserve by companies such as Hoima Sugar Limited and MZ Agencies, along with individuals claiming ownership. Despite the conclusion of the survey more than a year ago, the public dissemination of the report is crucial for addressing the environmental crisis.
Kiboga District Woman Member of Parliament and conservationist, Ms. Christine Kaaya, asserts that illegal occupants and holders of unauthorized titles are contributing to the problem. Ms. Kaaya urges the immediate release of the survey and boundary opening report, emphasizing the need for transparency in resolving the prolonged dispute.
Ms. Kaaya highlights concerns about potential bribery and influence affecting the report’s outcome, calling for a swift resolution. She argues that the protection of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve is vital for absorbing emissions from the nearby oil area.
While Mr. Dennis Obbo, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Lands, acknowledges the completion of the survey exercise, he emphasizes that the report is currently with the cabinet for guidance on the next steps. Mr. Obbo refrains from providing details on the content of the report but underscores the ministry’s adherence to the cabinet’s directives.
Cabinet issued a directive in 2019 to the Ministry of Water and Environment to open the boundaries of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, seeking to address the long-standing dispute. The boundary opening, concluded in August 2022, aimed to determine and align the forest reserve’s boundaries. The initiative arose amid a legal battle involving the National Forest Authority (NFA) challenging the issuance of land titles to Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and the subsequent allocation of disputed land to Hoima Sugar Limited. The case is currently awaiting a hearing and determination before the Court of Appeal.
