Leaders, activists protest Kitubulu forest giveaway

17 October 2025, 11:32 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Leaders, environmental activists, and members of the public concerned about climate change have strongly opposed the government’s decision to allocate Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve in Entebbe to a Chinese investor for development.

The project, confirmed by the Minister of State for Investment and Privatisation, Hon. Evelyn Anite, involves the construction of government offices and other modern facilities.

“The government has allocated land to a Chinese investor for the construction of modern facilities, including a five-star hotel, hospital, conference centre, and housing estates. Unless you are in a government-constructed facility, your office will have to move to Entebbe. The main aim is to decongest Kampala,” said Ms Anite.

However, the plan has faced resistance from local leaders, including the Mayor of Entebbe, Fabrice Rulinda, who argues that the area already has sufficient hotels and infrastructure.

“We are not allowing this forest giveaway — that’s clear. It is disrespectful that no one from the National Forestry Authority (NFA) has ever come to discuss with us or even inform us of any plans regarding this forest,” said Mr Rulinda.

The USD 500 million (about UGX 1.7 trillion) project is being spearheaded by Mr Paul Zhang, head of the Tan Tang Group, who confirmed that his proposal was approved by the Ministry of Investment.

“I approached the minister with a proposal to build an international conference centre, along with other amenities such as hospitals, international schools, and modern housing in Entebbe,” Mr Zhang said, adding that his company was facilitated through the minister’s office.

When contacted, Mr Emmanuel Mangiraguha, Executive Director of the National Forestry Authority (NFA), stated that the forest management plan supports conservation through wise use, focusing on sustainable utilisation and eco-tourism.

Meanwhile, environmental activists have condemned the move, describing it as a threat to Uganda’s forest cover and climate resilience. Dickens Ochero, an environmental activist and Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Officer at Youth Go Green, described the development as “a battle to save Kitubulu.”

“Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve in Entebbe has become the latest battleground in Uganda’s environmental justice struggle. Tan Tang Group, known for projects such as the Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, is now pushing to develop a government campus comprising offices and other facilities,” Mr Ochero said.

Environmentalists warn that if the forest giveaway proceeds, Uganda’s climate change mitigation efforts could face serious setbacks in the future.