Over 8,000 of the 41,000 hectares of Bugoma Forest have been depleted by encroachers, New Vision Online has learnt.

National Forestry Authority (NFA) Kisindi sector manager Alex Obonyo made the revelation on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, in Kikuube district. 

He told Bunyoro affairs state minister Jennifer Namuyangu Kacha, who had visited the area, that some of the encroachers claim that the land was given to them by the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom while others claim to be having land titles.

Obonyo added that the most depleted areas are in Ngogoli, Kasenta, Nyairongo and Mandwiga in Kyangwali and Kabwoya sub-counties in Kikuube district.

Namuyangu said she is worried about the worst that may happen due to climate change following the continued depletion of Bugoma Forest. 

She noted with concern the rate at which Ugandans are depleting natural forests forgetting the importance of forests.

She was surprised when she was told that NFA officers recently arrested a Catholic priest who was found cutting timbers inside the forest.

Kikuube Resident District Commissioner Amlan Tumusiime, who was part of the visit, said people outside Bunyoro have taken advantage of several kingdom officers who issue illegal letters on what they claim is kingdom land.

He has, however, said they will not relent to arrest those who will be found depleting the forest.