Kalangala NFA boss probed over encroachers in Lutoboka Forest Reserve

__________________

The Police in Kalangala district have detained the National Forest Authority (NFA) sector manager in connection with a group of bricklayers who recently encroached on Lutoboka Forest Reserve in Kalangala Town Council.

Alex Obonyo was arrested alongside one Patience and four bricklayers nabbed during a security operation.

“We have six people in our custody, including two NFA staff on allegations of corruption, and investigations have already commenced,” said Twaha Kasirye, the Greater Masaka Spokesperson.

Aldon Walukamba, the NFA spokesperson, confirmed that Obonyo had been picked for questioning.

“This incident stems from a malicious and orchestrated attempt to implicate our staff in false bribery allegations by suspected illegal forest encroachers in Lutoboka,” said Walukamba.

Walukamba stated that individuals who had been issued eviction notices for illegally occupying the forest reserve land allegedly mobilised shillings 2.5 million, intending to give the money to NFA staff; however, when the offer was refused, the encroachers turned into a corruption case, leading to the arrest of NFA staff. 

“We strongly condemn this abuse of the justice system and the apparent collusion by individuals attempting to discredit our work in forest protection. NFA staff in Kalangala have consistently acted within the law to preserve Uganda’s forest resources, often under extremely challenging conditions,” Walukamba emphasised.

“We urge the police and other investigative bodies to thoroughly investigate the motives and actions of these forest encroachers, and to ensure that our staff are not targeted for simply performing their duties. The NFA remains committed to transparency, professionalism, and the lawful protection of forest reserves in Kalangala and across the country,” he added.