Namavundu Forest Boundaries to Be Reopened in Conservation Effort

Efforts are underway to safeguard the Namavundu central forest reserve, a crucial ecosystem in the Jinja district. The Ministry of Water and Environment, in conjunction with Jinja district officials, has developed a plan to reopen and clearly mark the boundaries of this 704-hectare forest.

This boundary exercise is a key component of a larger, government-funded five-year conservation initiative for the Kalagala and Itanda Falls conservation area. The project spans multiple districts, including Kayunga, Kamuli, Buikwe, and Jinja, along with Jinja city, focusing on critical ecosystems such as riverbanks and the Namavundu, Itanda, and Kalagala Falls reserves.

Officials emphasize that the boundary reopening is a legal and consultative process aimed at preventing further environmental degradation and conflict with local communities. Surveyors will use original 1932 gazette plans to re-establish visible boundary markers. This approach is intended to be transparent and mutually agreed upon.

Jinja district leadership has pledged full support, with instructions issued to technical staff to halt illegal land titling within protected zones. The growing population and associated land pressure necessitate strict accountability and high standards for land management. The initiative also aligns with presidential directives to protect Uganda’s natural resources.

To address encroachment and environmental destruction, the ministry is implementing comprehensive management plans for forests, wetlands, and fisheries. They will also provide alternative livelihood opportunities such as beekeeping and sustainable biomass projects to reduce pressure on protected lands. Free tree seedlings will be distributed to local residents to encourage reforestation efforts.

Source: https://observer.ug/news/water-ministry-jinja-authorities-to-reopen-namavundu-forest-boundaries