The National Forest Authority (NFA) has found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Six rangers and an NFA officer, Aksam Tebusweeke, have been detained over accusations of aiding in the destruction of Kubanda Forest Reserve in Mutambala. As if that weren’t enough, this scandal unfolds with the local residents’ real-life tales of timber trafficking and the ‘invisible’ forest guards.
On July 25, 2024, Kalangala’s forest reserves were in the headlines, but not for their lush greenery. According to local sources, Tebusweeke and his team were allegedly caught red-handed supporting tree-cutters, who had a rather active role in the illegal timber trade. The arrest came after residents exposed the ongoing deforestation to the Kalangala Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Eva Kwesiga.
Residents recounted their experiences with all the drama of a telenovela. Betty Namboozo, a mother of three, shared how she was apprehended while gathering firewood—an activity now fraught with the peril of an arrest, even though machines were clearly at work in the forest. Meanwhile, Swaibu Ntale noted the irony of forest guards arresting locals for firewood while turning a blind eye to illegal logging.
Kalangala District, with its 32 forest reserves, has not been faring well in the forest conservation department. Reports suggest that deforestation is rampant, with illegal timber harvesting seemingly protected by certain “invisible” officers. Local leaders, like LC 1 chairperson Sulait Kafeero, have raised concerns about armed non-uniformed officers ferrying timber under the cover of night, adding to the area’s fear and frustration.
Forest Statistics: A Global and Local Snapshot
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Kalangala Forest Reserves | 32, severely affected by encroachment |
| Deforestation Rate in Mugoye | 50% |
| Global Deforestation (1990-2020) | 420 million hectares converted; 10 million hectares cut annually as of 2024 |
| Uganda’s Forest Cover | 1.9 million hectares, 10% of land cover |
Kalangala’s district chairperson, Rajab Ssemakula, has expressed serious concerns about the rapid deforestation. He warnED of potential disasters, such as storms and crop destruction, if the trend continues. The weak enforcement by NFA is seen as a significant contributor to the issue.
In response, a reforestation initiative has been rolled out as part of Uganda’s 2024/2025 budget, with a hefty allocation of shillings 516.78 billion aimed at planting 15 million trees nationwide. The Ministry of Environment and Water Management is spearheading this project, with hopes to restore degraded landscapes and improve forest cover.
Kalangala RDC Eva Kwesiga has made it clear that no one, including forest officers, is above the law. She emphasized the need for strict enforcement to protect the environment. Meanwhile, Twaha Kasirye, the Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed that a general inquiry has been opened into the forest destruction, with further investigations underway.
The recent detainment of NFA officers for alleged involvement in illegal timber trade adds yet another layer to the ongoing environmental drama. Whether this incident will lead to lasting change or simply a new chapter in Uganda’s environmental saga remains to be seen.
