Three key culprits arrested by NFA in Mabira forest destruction

19 March 2025, 7:16 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The National Forestry Authority (NFA), in accordance with the laws governing Uganda, is mandated to ensure the sustainable management and conservation of Central Forest Reserves (CFRs) in the country. Against this backdrop, the NFA enforcement team arrested three individuals involved in the illegal clearance and destruction of Mabira forest in Buikwe district. This decisive action reflects the NFA’s commitment to upholding the principles of environmental protection and curbing illegal activities in protected areas.

The arrested suspects include Joseph Ecima, a forest supervisor in the Namulaba Beat of Mabira CFR, along with two patrolmen, Mwebaze David, also known as Abdul, and Matsiko Winston. Their arrest follows recent media reports implicating NFA officials in collusion with factory owners, industrial players, and prison officials to cut trees for timber, charcoal, and firewood. The reports also revealed that parts of the Mabira Forest Reserve’s boundaries were being illegally leased out for crop cultivation, a practice strictly prohibited under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act (NFTPA) of 2003.

In response to these alarming reports, the acting Executive Director of the NFA, Stuart Maniraguha, swiftly established an investigative team, which led to the apprehension of the suspects. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Francis Olugu, the police liaison commandant at the NFA, confirmed that charges of criminal neglect of duty have been brought against the suspects. Additional charges, including corrupt neglect of duty, are being investigated under the NFTPA, the Penal Code Act, and Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Act.

In a statement, Aldon Walukamba, NFA’s Communications and Public Relations Manager, urged citizens to play an active role in protecting Uganda’s forests. Speaking on the arrests, Walukamba emphasised, “We are committed to protecting our forest reserves and ensuring that anyone who violates the law is held accountable. These arrests should serve as a warning to all individuals involved in illegal forest activities.”

“We call on all concerned citizens to report illegal activities to the police, local authorities, or the NFA’s toll-free line at 0800264036. Together, we can prevent further destruction of our invaluable forests,” he said. In recent months, the NFA’s enforcement efforts have intensified, leading to the arrest of 68 suspects inside Mabira Forest, with 40 individuals already arraigned in the Utilities Court. Additionally, 29 vehicles carrying timber and charcoal, 100 motorcycles, and 60 wood miser power saws have been impounded.

The NFA is also collaborating with the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development to cancel illegal land titles within CFRs, including 112 titles that have recently been revoked. The NFA has identified another 700 illegal land titles within CFRs for cancellation. Mabira CFR, covering 29,964 hectares, is a crucial ecological asset, serving as a watershed for Lake Victoria, Kyoga, and the Nile River system.

The NFA continues to assert that the forest supports rivers such as Musamya, Ssezibwa, and Waliga, playing a significant role in regulating the region’s climate and air quality. Its location near urban and industrial areas makes it vital for filtering industrial gases, thereby benefiting surrounding communities and industries. Mabira Forest is also a hub for eco-tourism, research, and education, with ongoing Collaborative Forest Management initiatives involving local communities. The NFA remains committed to its mission of protecting and restoring Uganda’s forests.