environment 9 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
NEMA Leads Multi-Stakeholder Effort to Restore Bugoma Forest Landscape
A collaborative initiative involving NEMA, Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, and Hoima Sugar Limited has been launched to restore degraded areas surrounding Bugoma Central Forest Reserve. This program is a direct response to a NEMA environmental audit highlighting the impact of human activities. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/nema-stakeholders-in-major-drive-to-restore-bugoma-forest-landscape-5490464
A significant environmental restoration effort has commenced at the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in western Uganda, following a recent audit by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The initiative brings together key players including government agencies, the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, and Hoima Sugar Limited.
The project is a direct consequence of a NEMA environmental audit that identified severe degradation within parts of the Kyangwali Integrated Agriculture Project, adjacent to the forest. The audit pinpointed charcoal burning, commercial farming, and illegal encroachment as primary causes of ecological damage in this vital mixed-land-use area, which is crucial for conservation, tourism, and cultural heritage.
NEMA has issued an Environmental Restoration Order, mandating Hoima Sugar Limited to undertake the rehabilitation of the affected conservation zones. The approved restoration plan, developed through consultations with various stakeholders including the National Forestry Authority and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, focuses on natural regeneration and planting indigenous tree species.
During the launch, NEMA Executive Director Dr. Barirega Akankwasah emphasized the shared commitment to recovering the Bugoma landscape’s ecological value. He noted that three square miles have already been successfully restored, and the program will now expand to cover all remaining degraded areas. The Jane Goodall Institute Uganda has been appointed as an independent technical partner to monitor progress and introduce sustainable livelihood programs for local communities.
Bugoma Forest, gazetted in 1932, has historically faced pressures from agricultural expansion and illegal logging. This comprehensive restoration aims to ensure a future where economic development and environmental preservation can coexist, guaranteeing the forest’s ecological integrity and biodiversity for future generations.