PM Nabbanja wants lions introduced in Bugoma forest to deter encroachers

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Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has urged the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to introduce wild animals such as elephants, lions and snakes into Bugoma Forest Reserve as part of efforts to deter encroachers, following the official handover of the forest to UWA for management.

Nabbanja made the remarks on May 9, 2026, after touring parts of the forest in Nsozi village, Kyangwali sub-county, where she witnessed extensive destruction caused by illegal activities, including charcoal burning and tree-cutting.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by tourism, wildlife and antiquities minister Tom Butime and UWA executive director Dr James Musinguzi, was visibly shocked by the level of degradation inside the forest. Thick smoke from charcoal-burning mounds and large sections of felled trees greeted the delegation during the inspection.

The extent of the destruction left officials questioning whether Ugandans were responsible for the activities taking place inside the reserve.

Nabbanja suggested that introducing wild animals into the forest could help UWA discourage further encroachment.

Speaking during the official handover ceremony at Kikuube district headquarters in Kisambo village, Kikuube town council, Nabbanja directed the Ministry of Lands to reopen the forest boundaries to their original 1932 size of 41,144 hectares.

Some of the suspects that were arrested after they were found preparing a charcoal mound inside Bugoma Forest Reserve. (Photo by Peter Abaanabasazi)

She also directed the Ministry of Water and Environment to revoke the statutory order declaring Bugoma a forest reserve and instructed the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to gazette Bugoma as a national park.

The Prime Minister warned that all people occupying the forest land would be required to vacate without compensation.

"All encroachers of the forest should vacate the reserve irrespective of who they are, big or small, we do not want to see them in the forest anymore," she said.

Professor James Kalema, chairperson of the UWA Board of Trustees, described Bugoma as one of the 34 critical forest reserves with unique biodiversity globally.

He said the handover had come at the right time, noting that the forest was facing severe depletion. Kalema added that UWA would do everything possible to restore the forest and protect its biodiversity.

Dr James Musinguzi said UWA would begin by sensitising surrounding communities about the takeover before deploying rangers to stop illegal access to the forest.

Minister Butime said the handover of Bugoma Forest to UWA had long been overdue.

He revealed that he had written to President Yoweri Museveni appealing for intervention to stop the destruction of the forest and expressed satisfaction that the appeal had yielded results.

Butime described the destruction of Bugoma Forest as impunity that must be tackled to safeguard conservation efforts and protect the forest’s biodiversity.

During the inspection, security personnel arrested three suspects who were allegedly found inside the forest preparing charcoal. The suspects reportedly told officials that they had travelled from Bubende district and had been hired by another individual to work in the forest at a daily payment of sh15,000.

Kikuube resident district commissioner Godwin Angalia welcomed the takeover, saying it would strengthen efforts to protect and restore the forest.

"What happened today is what we have been advocating for; we believe UWA is going to take full control to protect the forest from any form of encouragement," he said.

Kikuube District Woman MP Florence Natumanya said protecting Bugoma Forest was critical in promoting conservation and addressing climate change.

She commended the government for the decision, but appealed for farmers who had already planted maize in the forest to be given time to harvest their crops before eviction.

Natumanya said such an approach would help build a good working relationship between the community and UWA in managing the forest.