KAMPALA — The Ugandan government has moved to strengthen protection of the contested Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja directing that the forest be transferred to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
The directive signals a major policy shift in the management of the forest, which is currently under the National Forestry Authority, and has faced mounting pressure from illegal logging, land encroachment, and controversial commercial activities.
Government officials say the proposed transfer is intended to place Bugoma under a stronger conservation framework that prioritises biodiversity protection and tourism development.
Sources indicate that the move could lead to enhanced enforcement measures, restoration initiatives, and closer involvement of the Uganda Wildlife Authority in safeguarding the forest.
Bugoma Forest, located in western Uganda, is one of the country’s critical ecological assets, serving as a habitat for endangered wildlife, including chimpanzees, and functioning as an important water catchment and wildlife corridor.
Environmental advocates have repeatedly warned that continued degradation of the forest risks undermining ecosystems that support both climate stability and local livelihoods.
The planned handover, however, is expected to go through administrative and legal processes before it is fully implemented. Conservation groups and local leaders are closely watching how the transition will be executed and whether it will deliver meaningful protection on the ground.
The development is part of broader government efforts to curb environmental destruction and promote sustainable use of natural resources, amid growing concern over the loss of forest cover across the country.
