Kikuube District security officials have vowed to take strict action against anyone found uprooting newly installed pillars marking the boundaries of Bugoma Forest, as authorities push forward with the demarcation exercise.
Godwin Angalia, the Kikuube Resident District Commissioner (RDC), said the exercise will continue without interruption, and any person encroaching on the forest will face eviction.
The installation of boundary pillars was launched last week by the Minister for Lands, Judith Nabakooba, to formally demarcate the 158.8 square miles of Bugoma Forest.
A 2022–2023 survey by the Ministry of Lands found that out of 22 claims for land near the forest, only two entities — Hoima Sugar Limited and businessman Mustafa Zaidi — had verified ownership documents.
Hoima Sugar holds 22 square miles, while Zaidi owns about four square miles.
Angalia noted with concern that some individuals have been uprooting the planted pillars in an effort to illegally extend into the forest.
“I’m told a number of pillars were uprooted. We are now doing a final demarcation and planting of pillars. We will employ spies, and whoever we catch removing these pillars will serve as an example to others,” Angalia said.
The exercise is being conducted by a team of surveyors from the Ministry of Lands, the National Forestry Authority, and Hoima Sugar Limited.
Once the borders are clearly defined, officials say it will be easier to deploy security along known boundaries.
“People have been in the forest claiming that it’s private land. We couldn’t deploy security since we didn’t know the clear boundaries. Once the exercise is done, the forest will be a no-go zone. Those occupying forest land should start leaving,” Angalia warned.
Ramasamy Radhakrishnan, farm manager at Hoima Sugar Limited, welcomed the initiative, saying it will resolve longstanding disputes between the National Forestry Authority and private landowners.
“The government initiative will help solve the crisis and stand-off that has existed for years between NFA and private landowners like Hoima Sugar,” Radhakrishnan said.
The Bunyoro Kingdom has also pledged support for the exercise. Kingdom Prime Minister Andrew Byakutaga said protecting Bugoma Forest is a shared responsibility.
“The forest has a lot of importance to us as a kingdom, to the government, and to our people. We need to jointly work towards protecting it,” Byakutaga said.
