The Umukuka III of the Bamasaaba people, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, together with the Prime Minister of the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, Rt. Hon. Paul Mwambu, have concluded a series of meetings with the National Forestry Authority (NFA).
The meetings aimed at ensuring the Bamasaaba are brought up to speed on issues related to the sustainable use of forests and forest products in Masaabaland.
The meeting, held at the NFA’s headquarters in Kampala, was attended by the Umukuka III, the Prime Minister of the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution, Dr. Paul Mwambu, and the NFA team, which included the Executive Director, Mr. Stuart Maniraguha, and his senior management team.
According to the spokesperson for the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution (Inzu y’Emasaaba), Mr. Steven Masiga, the discussions centered on finalizing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the Mutoto Land that was recently allocated to the cultural institution.
This was done under the directives of the President for development. Other points discussed included promoting public awareness of the cultural, social, and economic benefits of conserving and increasing forest cover in Masaabaland, as well as encouraging the Bamasaaba people to engage in the management of forests and trees.
Masiga highlighted that both the NFA and the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution recognize the importance of a healthy ecosystem in promoting vibrant livelihoods among the people of Masaabaland.
The National Forestry and Tree Planting Act of 2003 mandates the NFA to declare any area in Uganda a forest reserve, and the authority is responsible for managing several forest reserves across the country.
The meeting also focused on ensuring that the Bamasaaba benefit from the various forest reserves found across Masaabaland in a more sustainable manner. “We need each other; we need forests, and forests need us,” stated the Umukuka III.
The leadership of the Bamasaaba Cultural Institution is committed to ensuring that Mutoto houses several projects, including the palace and a museum. Additionally, there is already a Wildlife Education Centre, making Bugisu a key location for wildlife education after the Entebbe Zoo, thanks to the forest reserve surrounding the area.
