Authorities have arrested five individuals accused of illegally producing charcoal within Mabira Central Forest Reserve, a protected area increasingly threatened by deforestation.
The suspects—George Musisi, George Wasswa, Wandeka Alamanzani, Wasswa Awali, and Ali Wandeka—were apprehended during a joint operation conducted by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and community members living near the reserve. They have been transferred to Kampala for further processing and will face charges in court.
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Charcoal production inside protected forests violates Uganda’s forestry laws, which ban tree cutting and burning in central forest reserves. These illegal practices contribute significantly to deforestation and undermine national conservation goals.
The arrests are part of a wider NFA campaign aimed at combating illegal activities in forest reserves, including logging, land grabbing, and charcoal burning. With the latest detentions, a total of 52 people have been arrested for similar offenses this year alone.
“Community involvement has played a key role in these efforts,” said Aldon Walukamba, NFA’s spokesperson. “Public reports are helping us crack down on environmental crimes, but internal accountability is equally important.”
Walukamba also revealed that two NFA officials—Joseph Ecima, a forest supervisor in Mabira, and Tibenderana Agai, in charge of Muhangi CFR—have been arrested for allegedly colluding with illegal operators. Both are currently facing prosecution, marking a rare move by the agency to address internal corruption.
So far this year, 19 case files have been opened for forest-related crimes. Fifteen have been submitted to court, two have been formally charged, and one remains under investigation. The Utilities Court has already convicted three people this year for crimes against forest reserves, a sharp contrast to past years when most such offenses went unpunished due to poor enforcement and systemic corruption.
“These are not just environmental violations—they’re crimes against our collective future,” Walukamba stressed. “Our forests are a national asset, vital for climate stability, water sources, and biodiversity, and they must be protected for generations to come.”
Mabira Forest, located between Kampala and Jinja, covers more than 300 square kilometers and is one of the largest remaining natural forests in the Buganda region. It supports a wide range of plant and animal species—many of them rare or endangered—and serves critical ecological functions such as carbon storage and water regulation.
Despite its protected status, the forest continues to suffer from illegal activities driven by population growth and high demand for charcoal and firewood, especially in urban areas where access to electricity remains limited.
Uganda loses approximately 90,000 hectares of forest annually. Forest cover has plummeted from 24% in 1990 to under 10% today. The NFA oversees 506 central forest reserves, totaling 1.26 million hectares, but struggles with funding shortages and an insufficient number of rangers.
Environmental advocates continue to call for increased budget allocations, tougher penalties for environmental crimes, and improved transparency in forest governance.
The arrest of NFA personnel may mark a shift toward greater institutional accountability. Meanwhile, the NFA is urging Ugandans to play an active role in forest protection—whether by reporting illegal activities, complying with environmental laws, or supporting reforestation.
“We can’t tackle this crisis alone,” Walukamba emphasized. “Our forests are part of our national identity and survival. Everyone has a role to play.”
The NFA is also seeking partnerships with NGOs and private entities to boost tree-planting efforts, raise awareness, and promote alternative livelihoods for communities dependent on charcoal for income.
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