The National Forestry Authority (NFA) has arrested three men for illegally cutting down mature trees in the West Bugwe Central Forest Reserve in the Busia district. The suspects, identified as Yolya Kennedy, Mudambo Henry, and Mudambo Robert, are aged between 35 and 50 years.
According to Michael Kusoro, the Kyoga Range Manager at NFA, “The trio was caught red-handed cutting down 17 mature hardwood indigenous trees, including species like Albizia, Combretum, and Vitex doniana, as well as several saplings. These actions are in direct violation of Uganda’s forest protection laws.”
The suspects were taken to Busia police station, where they were charged with committing forest crimes. They are currently awaiting transportation to Kampala, where they will be arraigned in court for prosecution.
David Ngolobe, Chairman of the Habuleke Kuuma Obutonde Collaborative Forestry Management group, emphasised the importance of community involvement in forest protection. “We work closely with authorities like the police and NFA to remove such harmful elements from our communities to conserve forests. This is essential to mitigating the effects of climate change,” Ngolobe said.
Aldon Walukamba, NFA’s Communications and Public Relations Manager, expressed gratitude to the people of Busia for their cooperation. “I want to thank the communities in Busia who are working hand-in-hand with NFA to expose criminals while also playing an active role in protecting Uganda’s forests,” he stated.
West Bugwe is one of the 506 Central Forest Reserves in Uganda and the last three natural forests in Uganda’s Eastern region, covering approximately 31 square kilometers. Despite its status as a Central Forest Reserve, the forest has been severely degraded due to illegal activities such as charcoal burning, farming, and fuelwood collection.
The forest is home to unique species, including birds, moths, dragonflies, six of Africa’s key tree species, and two species of nationally threatened butterflies. Its destruction not only contributes to biodiversity loss but also exacerbates poverty for people who depend on its resources. Additionally, forests play a critical role in locking up carbon, and their degradation has far-reaching implications for climate change.
