Jinja Leaders Back Boundary Demarcation to Protect Nile Bank Forest Reserve

Local authorities in Jinja District have committed to supporting an upcoming campaign to reopen and demarcate the boundaries of the Nile Bank Central Forest Reserve. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Water and Environment’s Department of Environment Sector Support Services, the initiative aims to halt rampant encroachment, restore degraded ecosystems, and safeguard the fragile buffer zones surrounding the River Nile.

The exercise forms a crucial component of the broader Kalagala and Itanda Falls Conservation and Protection Project. According to Ministry officials, the demarcation will span 606 hectares of land in the Nile Bank area, including a 12-kilometre cut-line along the river.

Speaking during stakeholder engagements, Jinja Resident District Commissioner Ahmed Katerega assured government officials of the political leadership’s full backing. He noted that local authorities would actively mobilize residents in Butagaya Sub-county to take part in the boundary reopening process, fostering a sense of community ownership and collective responsibility.

Security and technical officers at the meeting raised alarm over rising environmental threats, particularly illegal sand mining along the River Nile and Lake Victoria shores, which accelerates ecological degradation. Ministry representatives highlighted that the boundary work will be succeeded by extensive tree planting initiatives, introducing species like bamboo, Musizi, and Mvule to restore depleted sections.

To ease pressure on the natural resources, the conservation project also incorporates alternative livelihood programs such as beekeeping for local communities. Furthermore, officials confirmed that a grievance redress mechanism and an environmental safeguards committee have been put in place to ensure transparency and address any community concerns throughout the project’s implementation.

Read more details in the Daily Monitor.