Kampala, Uganda – The National Forestry Authority (NFA) has firmly rejected the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)‘s proposal to utilize part of the Buto-Buvuma Central Forest in Buyala as a landfill site. This decision comes after concerns were raised regarding the legality of KCCA’s claim to the land, which NFA asserts is part of a protected forest reserve.
Stuart Maniraguha, the Acting Executive Director of NFA, stated that the 230-acre plot in question was obtained illegally and is among numerous fraudulent land titles created within forest reserves. He emphasized that the government cannot purchase its own land and called for the cancellation of these illegitimate titles by the Ministry of Lands.
Despite previous discussions aimed at preventing illegal acquisitions of forest land, KCCA proceeded with plans for the landfill, prompting NFA to take a stand against the operation. Maniraguha reiterated NFA’s commitment to conserving forest integrity and indicated that any licensed tree farmers involved in negotiations with KCCA would face prosecution.
While addressing KCCA’s waste management challenges, Maniraguha suggested that NFA could assist in identifying suitable sites for waste management that would not compromise conservation efforts, provided thorough impact assessments are conducted.