By Solomon Lubambula
The National Forestry Authority (NFA) has cancelled 112 illegal land titles within Central Forest Reserves to protect Uganda’s forests.
The titles, issued fraudulently in areas like Kampala, Mukono, Jinja, and Masaka, were on government-protected land.
The National Forestry Authority responsible for managing 1,265,741 hectares of forest reserves, remains committed to safeguarding these vital ecosystems from encroachment and illegal land acquisition.
In a statement issued, the NFA stressed how it remains committed to preventing land encroachment and illegal activities that threaten these vital environmental resources.
The Forestry Authority alongside the Ministry of Lands, is also reviewing 700 more illegal titles for cancellation.
Arnold Walukamba, National Forestry Authority Public Relations Manager, warned the public to be cautious of fraudsters who create fake land documents.
“We call on the public to be aware of illegal land dealers who fabricate documents and positions with the intention of creating fraudulent land titles on government forest land, duping unsuspecting clients of their time and money,” said Walukamba.
He urged district local governments and other agencies to consult the NFA before issuing land titles to ensure forest boundaries are respected.
“We implore district local governments and other government agencies not to process or issue land titles without seeking information from the NFA,” Walukamba emphasized.
In a related development the chairperson of the Committee on Climate Change, Lawrence Biyika, warned of the impending heavy rains and floods resulting from the current heat wave, saying the government should come out with clear mitigation measures.
In response to the Statement on the current heatwave in the country, presented by the Minister of Water and Environment, Beatrice Anywar, during the parliamentary plenary sitting, Biyika observed that the long dry spell is bound to affect agriculture and eventually the economy.
Biyika who is also Ora County MP said that the country should be disaster prepared, rather than waiting for relief after the disaster.
He asked the government to consider adaptation measures for such climate change effects, proposing a firm fight against deforestation and wetland destruction which he said are on the rise.
