Charcoal Burning,Timber Harvesting Destroying Bugoma Forest

People living in Kaseeta and Nyairongo villages adjacent to Bugoma central forest reserve, Kikuube district have accused National Forestry Authority officials of conniving with individuals hell-bent on totally destroying the forest.

Their leaders allege that NFA officials through agents are hiring out an acre of land in the same forest at 300,000 shillings per season for crop farming.  

According to the residents in Kabwoya and Kyangwali sub counties, the land is mainly hired to maize farmers.

Several acres of land were  also  leased out to an Indian investor and proprietor of Hoima Sugar factory for sugar cane growing.

The residents claim that individuals who pay a bribe commonly termed as “network” openly engage in illicit charcoal burning and timber cutting which has depleted the forest. 

These actions they say have frustrated their efforts to save forest covering a total of 410 square kilometres.

Deo Asaba a resident of Kaseeta village in Kabwoya subcounty revealed

“Somebody cannot go and put power saw machine cutting down the trees to get timber from the forest without the notice of NFA. Those are NFA members who are encouraging the people to enter in that forest. Currently the forest now is finished. They are cutting down the forest, people burning charcoal, cutting timber. The forest is being destroyed totally” 

When contacted NFA communication specialist Julie Mubi could not comment on the matter which she said is still  in court.

“The area you are talking about of Nyairongo and Kaseeta, those are the areas under Bugoma management area that are still being contested between National Forestry Authority and Hoima Sugar limited. So I may not comment much because we still have a case in court. We appealed in court of appeal, and we are waiting for the proceedings”.

She said she could not even confirm whether  the people being accused of hiring land in the forest are NFA staff or not,  since the area in question is being contested.

The residents are   concerned that  if the destruction  continues unabated, they will be greatly affected since the forest provides them with firewood, medicine among others.

Another concern by the villagers living adjacent to Bugoma is that the destruction of the forest has also led to an increase in human-wildlife conflicts.  Animals from the forest are now attacking people, and eating their crops.The animals are monkeys, chimpazees , elephants and the Uganda Kob.

They are worried that  rivers  Rutowa and Hohwa which originate  from  the forest are  drying up as a result of the ongoing destruction of Bugoma.  

“When the forest is cut down, there’s no water, there’s no rain so that is the problem we are facing.  When it is being destroyed, cut down, we are not getting anything from there. It is the NFA who are benefiting” he stated

Desire Nkurunziza, the Nyairongo LCI Chairperson alleges those involved in illegal timber logging and charcoal burning in Bugoma forest are being guarded by gun wielding men.

This reporter could not verify this allegation on the ground after learning that it was highly risky to enter into forest which residents claim is heavily guarded.

Women living in both Kaseeta and Nyairongo appealed to government to provide them with tree planting seedlings to help replant trees to conserve the environment following the destruction of the Bugoma forest by illegal charcoal burners and timber loggers.

Led by Asassira Ramullah a member of the save Bugoma Forest campaign task force, the women said the   depletion of the forest is affecting them badly.

To start with, they say they are only allowed to enter the forest twice in a week to collect firewood, and cannot access other forest products like mushrooms, and white ants which they would serve as source.

They also claim with the ban on entering the forest, they no longer access rattan which is a raw material for weaving baskets which they would sale to make some money.

Hellen Kabanyoro a resident of Kaseeta village told this reporter that they are being affected by strong blowing winds which leave their houses on the ground since the trees in the forest that used to act as wind breaks have all been cut down.