Gov’t Moves To Protect Bugoma, Echuya & Bukaleba As UWA Takes Charge

The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Tom R. Butime, has gazetted Temporary Management Measures placing Bugoma, Echuya and Bukaleba Central Forest Reserves under the temporary management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

The measures, issued under Section 28 of the Uganda Wildlife Act, Cap. 315, will remain in force for six months as Parliament undertakes the process of declaring the three Central Forest Reserves Wildlife Conservation Areas.

Under the new measures, UWA is mandated to take charge of the management, protection and conservation of the three forests, including deploying staff, securing boundaries and preventing encroachment and illegal exploitation of forest resources.

The Authority is also expected to spearhead the restoration of degraded areas, strengthen law enforcement, promote scientific research and tourism, conduct community sensitisation programmes and work closely with relevant government agencies to facilitate the completion of the gazettement process.

UWA Executive Director, Dr. James Musinguzi, welcomed the Ministerial directive, saying it provides the Authority with the necessary legal framework to safeguard the three ecologically significant forest ecosystems as the process of formally declaring them Wildlife Conservation Areas is finalised.

“This provides a legal framework for UWA to safeguard these important ecosystems while the process of their declaration as Wildlife Conservation Areas is finalised,” Musinguzi said.

The temporary management arrangement is expected to strengthen protection of the forests against encroachment, illegal resource use and environmental degradation while paving the way for a more coordinated conservation approach.

UWA has called on local communities, cultural and political leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders to cooperate with the Authority in implementing the Temporary Management Measures.

The Authority said stakeholder cooperation will be critical in ensuring that the forests are effectively protected and restored for the benefit of present and future generations.