NFA, Centenary Bank in fresh drive to restore Masindi Forest Reserve

MASINDI - The National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Centenary Bank have launched the restoration of Masindi Forest Reserve.

The partnership, which started in April, will run for three years to maintain and grow the trees on the plantation, which covers 39 hectares. 

On Friday, May 9, 2025, the partners and district leaders launched the sh60m restoration project in Nyangahya Cell, Central Division, Masindi Municipality.

The forest reserve, commonly known as Nyangahya Forest Reserve, covers the cells of Kihande 2, Nyangahya, and Western Cell, among others.

While presiding over the launch,  Andrew Byakutaga, the Bunyoro Kingdom Prime Minister, said the partnership is in line with their strategic plans of managing natural resources and also improving on strategic partnerships because they cannot restore the environment without partners.

Byakutaga called upon the public to embrace protection and restoration of forests, stating that they provide sanctuary for wildlife, and they are living symbols of their heritage; in addition, they are crucial buffers against the effects of climate change.

‘’These forests are not just trees, they are living symbols for our heritage, providing sanctuary for wildlife, both the flora and fauna which are our totems, so when we protect them, we protect our water sources and they are crucial buffers against the effects of climate change,’’ he added.

Emphasising protection and preservation of nature, the prime minister noted that for generations, the people of Bunyoro have lived in harmony with nature, drawing sustenance, medicine, and cultural inspiration from these sacred sites.

"Today, we affirm our commitment to preserving this legacy for future generations. We have a lot of taboos associated with forests, mountains, rivers and lakes which aim at protecting them,’’ Byakutaga further added.

Byakutaga urged leaders, community members, businesses and youth to become champions of conservation, plant trees for a greener and prosperous tomorrow.

Healthy forests, he added, are vital to the economy and wellbeing, and they provide resources like timber, medical plants and honey while supporting livelihood through tourism and sustainable agriculture.

He therefore applauded the NFA and Centenary for the partnership to restore the depleted Masindi Plantation Forest Reserve.

"This partnership reflects a shared vision for economic growth that sustains our natural heritage. Together we can create jobs, support local economies and ensure the benefit of this restoration reaches each household and also protect our forests to mitigate the climate change we are witnessing,’’ he stated.

James Katamba, the Centenary Bank Regional Manager in charge of the Western region, said this region has been selected as the destination for tree planting this year, thus appreciating NFA for accepting to partner with them in restoring our Mother Earth.

Stuart Maniraguha, the NFA Acting Executive Director, stated that on April 16, they entered a partnership with Centenary Bank to work together to give back to nature, noting that this marks the beginning of a big job to restore the forest reserve.

Boaz Besigirenda, the Range Manager Budongo Range System under the NFA, stressed that the community members had encroached and depleted the forest through charcoal burning, agriculture, among others, adding that Centenary Bank has come at the right time to partner with them to restore the depleted forest reserve.

Also present was Isaac Bongomin, LC3 Chairperson for Central Division and  Elizabeth Kakoko, the LC1 Chairperson for Nyangahya Cell.

Aldon Walukamba, the NFA spokesperson, said that Masindi Plantation Forest Reserve was first surveyed in 1934 and officially demarcated in 1948.

He noted that due to encroachments, the forest reserve the boundaries were reopened in 2003 and those who had encroached on the land vacated.