NFA Trespassing on Our Land, Locals in Mitooma Cry Out

The NFA executive director, Stuart Imaniraguha, acknowledged that the recent demarcations were made without proper consultation with stakeholders.

Residents of Kiyanga Sub-county in Mitooma District have raised alarm over recent boundary demarcations carried out by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) between their community and the Imaramagambo Forest Reserve.

The locals claim these demarcations encroach upon their land.

"The boundaries were established in 1952, but NFA has recently installed new pillars to redefine these limits," said Mwebesa Isa, a Kiyanga resident.

Benon Bushooborozi, the Kiyanga District councillor, added, "They started by taking a few meters and have gradually expanded their claim, increasing the distance from the original boundary established in 1952."

In response to these concerns, the locals petitioned Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who is also their area MP.

He visited the contested areas alongside the tourism committee of Parliament for an assessment.

Sylvia Nayebare, chairperson of the tourism committee, challenged the NFA, stating, "The NFA should de-gazette land that has no forest cover and that was not gazetted by UWA. Given that the locals have occupied this land since 1952, it should be returned to them."

The NFA executive director, Stuart Imaniraguha, acknowledged that the recent demarcations were made without proper consultation with stakeholders.

He expressed the need for Parliament to provide new policy guidelines.

"It is true that the recent demarcations were unauthorized and that our team did not conduct a survey. I want to apologize to the people of Kiyanga. However, it is possible that the land in question belongs to the NFA," Imaniraguha stated.

"If we find that the land truly belongs to the people, and the NFA is making claims to it, then Parliament should issue new guidelines."

In light of these developments, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa has tasked the NFA to reconsider the boundaries between the Imaramagambo Forest Reserve and the local community land in Kiyanga. He emphasized the need for a fair resolution as new guidelines are developed.

"NFA needs to find a permanent solution, which will require revisiting the boundaries. We must remember what was negotiated when these lands were allocated," Tayebwa noted.

He urged the NFA to adhere to the original 1952 demarcation, highlighting that the law should serve the community, not solely protect government interests.

"The law must work in favor of the people and the government, not just the government alone. We have seen the original boundary of 1952, and the NFA should refer to what is in the gazette and start over," he added.

Residents have also expressed frustration over property loss and crop destruction due to wild animal invasions from the forest reserve and the National Park.