Wildlife Authority to take over Bugoma forest administration
The formal transition of management and administrative responsibilities of the Forest in Kikuube district is scheduled for May 10.
Ministers Nabakooba and Mary Grace Mugasa addressed stakeholders on the protection of the Bugoma forest at Kikuube district headquarters recently. (Wilson Asiimwe)
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KIKUUBE — The National Forests Authority (NFA), on the handover of Bugoma forest to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), is aimed at strengthening the security of the forest.
The formal transition of management and administrative responsibilities of the Forest in Kikuube district is scheduled for May 10.
The formal handover will take place at the district headquarters.
In March this year, President Yoweri Museveni directed the eviction of all encroachers and the transfer of forest protection to the UWA.
He proposed upgrading the reserve to a national park amid rising concerns over deforestation and biodiversity loss.
Vincent Opio, the vice chairperson for Kikuube district, said that the move will help to preserve the largest natural forest in Bunyoro.
"As district leaders, we welcome the takeover because the whole forest has been destroyed," Opio said.
President Museveni also directed the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to investigate senior army officers accused of illegal activities in the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
The directive, contained in a February 23, 2026, letter addressed to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, follows a complaint by Tourism Minister Tom Butime in October 2025 over widespread degradation, deforestation, and encroachment of the forest.
The President further instructed UWA to assume responsibility for protecting the forest and ordered that all encroachers be evicted without exception.
Godwin Angalia, the Resident District Commissioner for Kikuube, said that there was a need for all the people who have illegally entered the forest to be arrested and prosecuted.
"We had several meetings aimed at protecting and preserving the forest, but we have not achieved much, and I am happy that UWA is coming to take over its security," Angalia said.
Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, covering 410 square kilometres, was gazetted in 1932 and taken over by NFA in 2003.
It hosts high biodiversity, including 24 mammal species, 465 tree species, 359 bird species, 289 butterfly species, and 130 moth species. Chimpanzees make up 10% of Uganda’s population, according to a 2012 census.
The forest serves as a migratory corridor for wildlife and a catchment for rivers draining into Lake Albert and the River Nguse, where the government plans a hydropower dam.