MASINDI, May 8, 2025 — A growing land dispute has emerged between residents of Kigulya Division in Masindi Municipality and the National Forestry Authority [ NFA ], with locals accusing the agency of forcefully taking over land they have lived on for years.
Residents from Kisabaho Cell, Kyetegya, and Miirya allege that last Friday, NFA officials, escorted by personnel from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces [UPDF] and the Uganda Police Force, entered their communities and began planting boundary mark stones on what the residents claim is their private land.
Benjamin Byaruhanga, a resident of Miirya Cell, reported that 15 acres of his land were affected.
“We suspect there are individuals hiding behind NFA to grab people’s land. If this is not handled well, the situation could escalate into a serious conflict. We’ve also heard rumours of mineral deposits in the area, which may explain the sudden interest in our land,” Byaruhanga said.
Another resident, Cleophas Alinaitwe, claimed this is not the first attempt by NFA to take their land.
“They have been trying to take our land for a long time. They intimidate, they threaten, and they do everything possible to scare us into leaving. But we are not going to be silent, we want justice. We’ve lived here for years and have nowhere else to go. We’re calling on our leaders to intervene,” he said.
Alex Ojigi, the LCII Chairperson of Kigulya Ward, said he is among those affected and that one acre of his land has been encroached upon.
“I came here in 2000, and I’ve never heard that this land belongs to NFA. My land even has a title, how was that processed if NFA owns the land?” he asked.
Ojigi added that in Kisabaho Cell alone, around 50 households are affected.
“We have over 35 titles in this area, some of which were issued by government as recently as 2014. We know NFA’s original boundaries, but they keep shifting, extending deeper into our land. This time, they’ve moved almost a kilometre inward. We cannot accept that,” he stated.
John Kajura, a 75-year-old resident of Kisabaho Cell, said he has lived on the land since 1969 and has never known it to be part of a forest reserve.
“We know where the original NFA boundaries are. Seeing them crossing onto our land and planting mark stones came as a huge surprise. I’m currently processing my title,” he said.
Leaders speak out
Ronald Businge Kyomuhendo, Mayor of Masindi Municipality, criticised the NFA for acting without consultation and raised concerns about alleged tribal undertones in the operation.
“What’s most upsetting is the tribal rhetoric reportedly used by some NFA officials, claiming that the land is occupied by Alur-speaking people. This kind of talk is dangerous. As leaders, we condemn it completely,” Businge said. “NFA should work hand in hand with local leadership. Why wait until people have built permanent homes before acting?”
Rogers Byamukama, an executive member of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations [FUFA] and aspiring Member of Parliament for Masindi Municipality, also expressed concern.
“Why hasn’t NFA ever had a permanent, clearly defined boundary? We are calling on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene. Let him send the relevant minister to help resolve this impasse,” he said, noting that fear and uncertainty have left residents unable to live or work productively.
However, Wilfred Kutegeka, LCIII Chairperson of Kigulya Division, suggested that the residents may have unknowingly settled within a gazetted forest reserve.
“Kigulya Central Forest Reserve was gazetted in 1932. That’s why, during boundary re-opening, people were found inside. The real challenge now is convincing them to vacate. My appeal is that government gives them time and an alternative, they have nowhere else to go,” he said.
About Kigulya Central Forest Reserve
According to Aldon Walukamba, Public Relations Officer at NFA, the Kigulya Central Forest Reserve covers 391 hectares and was gazetted in 1932. He claims that over 60 percent of the reserve has been encroached upon.
“We are not land grabbers. Some people are using the current political season to take over protected land. For over a year, we’ve asked them to vacate, but they’ve refused. The forest reserves serve a national purpose. And no, we didn’t act by surprise, we even held a meeting with residents just last week,” Walukamba said.
He urged those with titles to present them for verification, noting that political backing has made enforcement increasingly difficult.
https://thecooperator.news/nfa-arrests-own-staff-in-mabira-forest-deforestation-crackdown/
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