In Uganda, forest reserve encroachment is a criminal offense punishable under the
National Forestry and Tree Planting Act of 2003.
Persons convicted of encroaching on a forest reserve may face a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine not less than six hundred thousand shillings (approx. 600,000 UGX).
Kagadi District councilors have called for the immediate transfer of all National Forestry Authority (NFA) staff stationed in the district, citing a surge in illegal charcoal burning and encroachment on protected forest reserves.
The matter was raised yesterday 24th March 2026 during a district council sitting held at JW Kate Hotel Conference Hall in Kagadi Town Council.
The demand was tabled by councilors on the Standing Committee for Community-Based Services, Trade, Industry and Local Economic Development and Natural Resources.
Presenting the committee report, Pius Ntambi the Male District Councilor for Isunga Sub-county, revealed that there is increasing encroachment in Kagombe Forest Reserve, Ruzaire Forest and Bugoma Forest Reserve.
He alleged that some of these activities are taking place with the knowledge and protection of NFA staff.
The committee strongly condemned the alleged collusion between NFA officials and illegal forest resource exploiters.
They urged the NFA Executive Director and the Minister of Water and Environment to transfer all current staff deployed in Kagadi District.
However, the proposal sparked debate among councilors.
Magezi Jamada a male councilor for Kabamba Sub County opposed the immediate transfer, arguing that the accused staff should first be given a fair hearing before any action is taken.
The District Speaker Magezi Muwonge supported this position and directed that the implicated NFA staff be summoned before the relevant committee to respond to the allegations.
The decision was welcomed by the majority of council members.
Meanwhile, during the same council sitting, Kagadi District Council received a draft budget of Shs50.07 billion for the 2026/2027 financial year, along with the annual work plan and key policy documents for review.
The proposed budget prioritizes key sectors including infrastructure, education, agriculture and healthcare.
The draft budget was presented by the Secretary for Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment, Francis Magezi Jamadah, during a council meeting held at JW Kate Hotel in Kagadi Town Council.
The session was chaired by the District Speaker, Magezi Muwonge.
Council members are expected to scrutinize the proposals before final approval at the next sitting scheduled for May 7th, 2026.
Other documents tabled before the council include plans for revenue enhancement, recruitment, capacity building, procurement, operations and disaster preparedness.
The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Vincent Kyaligonza urged leaders to mobilize communities to support and repay funds under the Parish Development Model (PDM) as the recovery phase begins.
The District Chairperson Ndibwami B. Yosia noted steady progress in ongoing projects and revealed that plans are underway to commission completed projects for community use.
