BUSHENYI- National Forest Authority NFA has launched and inaugurated forestry management committees for Kalinju and Kasyoha- Kitomi Forest reserve for smooth running of activities in protecting forests. The meeting was held at Tuzza Hotel in Bushenyi.
NFA is a government agency established under section 52 of the national Forestry and tree planting act 8/2003 and NFA manages 506 central Forest reserve. NFA’s strategic plan the implementation of interventions to address and reverse the trend.
The government of Uganda through NFA is implementing the project investing in forest’s and protected areas for climate smart development with financial support from the world bank with the aim of improving management of 27 central forest reserves for the purposes of increasing revenue and jobs to the government and neighboring community. The targeted forests within this area are Kalinzu forest, Kasyoha-Kitomi, Imaramagambo, Ihumbo and Kakas forest reserve.
According to Stuart Maniranguha, the Executive director of National Forest Authority, the major Aim of choosing Forestry committees was to improve sustainable management of central Forest reserve, strengthen Forest protection and conservation as well as promoting Eco Tourism service in the community especially to those families neighboring those forests.
Maniraguha added that these committees will also help to develop and promote stakeholders’ partnership in line with gender and equity principles as well as sustainably managing and developing the country’s central forest reserves to provide quality forestry products and services for the socio- economic development of Uganda.
The NFA ED pointed out that they have gathered to witness an important milestone in the Authorty’s efforts to sustainably manage Central Forest reserve within Kalinju and Kasyoha-Kitomi forest management plan by establishing the forest committee as required by the National Forestry and tree planting Act cap 160 section 63.
These forest committees will supply NFA with the required information in implementation of the respective forests management plan as provided in the NFA Act.
Aguba Silvester, the Rubirizi district boss thanked NFA for the good work they’re doing to help the community especially those neighboring forests and depending on forests for survival by equipping them with skills such as tailoring, donating to them bee hives among others.
Aguba asked NFA to increase the supply of seed and seedlings for increased tree planting in the community in a bid to increase the quality and economic value of Forest based business.
The district boss tasked the Forest management committee to improve their skills in spreading more gospel and teach other’s how to protect and conserve the environment in their areas.
Madam Robiina Mirembe the Rubirizi Deputy Resident District Commissioner stressed that the forestry committees will help security in protecting forests in the community by giving them information.
Mirembe warned the committee members to desist from being corrupted by those intending to destroy the forests and perform their duties diligently or else they face arrest for conniving with the community to do otherwise.
She narrated that this will promote innovation in Eco-system services and business development as well as Forest financing, expand and diversify NFA revenue base as well as building staff capacity for improved management and business enterprise development.
Mushange Charles, Tumusiime William and Kobusingye Florence, among those selected on the committee from Rubirizi district thanked NFA top management for the appointments and pledged to perform their roles since Protection is the core function of NFA.
They noted that the central forest reserves must be secured and protected from encroachment, degradation and other threats especially the degraded areas therein need to be restored and managed to promote biodiversity.
The trio representing the entire committee promised their readiness to promote innovative approaches for local community participation in the management of central forest reserves, cooperate and coordinate with NFA and other lead agencies in the management of Ugandan forests.
