NFA warns Namanve land buyers
Apr 25, 2011
THE National Forestry Authority (NFA) has warned that there will be no compensation for individuals buying land under the 1,200 hectare Namanve forest reserve in Wakiso and Mukono districts.
By Gerald Tenywa
THE National Forestry Authority (NFA) has warned that there will be no compensation for individuals buying land under the 1,200 hectare Namanve forest reserve in Wakiso and Mukono districts.
This followed reports of unscrupulous people who are selling land in the forest reserve following an invasion of the reserve by people claiming to be landless army veterans and residents staying in the vicinity of the urban reserve.
The statement by NFA’s executive director Hudson Andrua indicated that the authority was aware of the sale of its land in Namanve in Wakiso and Mukono.
“In February, errant individuals and groups of people, including some claiming to belong to the Uganda Veterans Associations illegally occupied and started erecting buildings and makeshift structures,†stated Andrua.
“There are reports of the illicit land transactions (illegal demarcation and selling of plots) by crafty individuals.â€
Andrua said the occupation of the reserve has led to clearance of trees of private tree farmers licensed by NFA and curtailed forest conservation in Namanve.
To save Namanve forest, MPs on the natural resources committee of Parliament will visit the area today to investigate circumstances under which the reserve has suffered massive encroachment.
Andrua said NFA holds land under the central forest reserves for the good of Ugandans.
He also said NFA was established by the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003, and in accordance with the Act, it develops and manages the central forest reserves.
THE National Forestry Authority (NFA) has warned that there will be no compensation for individuals buying land under the 1,200 hectare Namanve forest reserve in Wakiso and Mukono districts.
This followed reports of unscrupulous people who are selling land in the forest reserve following an invasion of the reserve by people claiming to be landless army veterans and residents staying in the vicinity of the urban reserve.
The statement by NFA’s executive director Hudson Andrua indicated that the authority was aware of the sale of its land in Namanve in Wakiso and Mukono.
“In February, errant individuals and groups of people, including some claiming to belong to the Uganda Veterans Associations illegally occupied and started erecting buildings and makeshift structures,†stated Andrua.
“There are reports of the illicit land transactions (illegal demarcation and selling of plots) by crafty individuals.â€
Andrua said the occupation of the reserve has led to clearance of trees of private tree farmers licensed by NFA and curtailed forest conservation in Namanve.
To save Namanve forest, MPs on the natural resources committee of Parliament will visit the area today to investigate circumstances under which the reserve has suffered massive encroachment.
Andrua said NFA holds land under the central forest reserves for the good of Ugandans.
He also said NFA was established by the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003, and in accordance with the Act, it develops and manages the central forest reserves.