Leaders in Wakiso District have vowed to take tough action against individuals illegally acquiring land titles in government forest reserves, warning that environmental destruction will not be tolerated.
The leaders made the declaration during an inspection tour of government projects, including roads and health facilities, which kicked off at the construction site of Kasangati Health Centre III.
The team was led by Wakiso District Woman MP Betty Ethel Naluyima, who also chairs the District Natural Resources Committee, alongside the District Natural Resources Officer Esau Mpazo and other officials.
“We will not sit back and watch individuals destroy government forests by illegally processing land titles. This must stop immediately,” Naluyima said.
At Kasangati Health Centre III, Mpazo explained that environmental safeguards had been integrated into the construction process.
“We are ensuring that development does not come at the expense of the environment. All procedures are being followed to protect natural resources,” Mpazo noted.
He added that the expansion of such health facilities is part of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Urban Development Programme, aimed at improving service delivery in urban areas.
The leaders later visited Nanve Forest, where they found residents excavating stones within the forest reserve, leaving behind deep and dangerous pits.
“This kind of activity is putting the lives of our people at risk. These pits are death traps, and they must be dealt with urgently,” one of the leaders warned.
Contractors working on the Masanafu–Ssentema–Kikubampanga Road requested permission to use soil from ongoing road works to fill the pits and restore safety in the area.
However, the continued degradation of Nanve Forest has raised alarm among district authorities. Wakiso District Vice Chairperson Betnah Nantege called on Parliament to introduce stricter regulations, particularly on the growing practice of planting eucalyptus trees in government forests.
“Parliament must step in and put in place tougher laws to protect our forests from exploitation disguised as investment,” Nantege urged.
Naluyima issued a firm directive that all illegally obtained land titles within the forest be cancelled without delay.
“Any land title issued in Nanve Forest outside the legal framework must be revoked immediately. We are not going to legalize illegalities,” she emphasized.
She further clarified that anyone intending to use forest land must strictly follow the law, warning that enforcement would be intensified.
Despite the environmental concerns, leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress of government projects across the district.
“We have seen significant improvement in infrastructure and service delivery. This shows that when resources are properly utilized, real change is possible,” Naluyima added.
