By Alex Gahima
Located in Rubuguri and Nkuringo Town Council, Kafuga forest is one of the oldest and most unique forests in Kisoro district, however its existence continues to be threatened.
Barely 1.5Kms from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kafuga currently stands at 161 acres from 350 acres, according to a study.
Kisoro District Local Government, Rubuguri and Nkuringo town councils with support from Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) have embarked on the process of gazetting Kafuga into a Local Forest Reserve.
Kafuga is home to the endangered Prunus Africana, Mahogany and the Giant Fern also boasts of over 200 tree species.
Prunus Africana is best known for its medicinal value to treat fevers, gonorrhea, stomach pain, chest pain, kidney disease, urinary symptoms, and malaria among others.
The Giant fern is a rare plant occurring in eastern and northern Australia, the Malay Peninsula and recently discovered now, in Rubuguri town council.
Despite its richness, the forest has a turbulent history that involves burning down of trees as well as encroachment.
Senior Environmental Officer Judith Muja says the plans to gazette Kafuga is aimed at having the forest reserve recognized by Government.
Muja says the process will involve all the stakeholders and will see communities attached to the forest taking responsibility of its existence for future generations to come.
Contention still remains on ownership of the pocket forest as Rubuguri town council leaders has said land titling should go on co-currently with the gazetting process.
Kisoro district Forestry Officer Crescent Mukundufite says the district still has several challenges in the forestry sector.
According to Mukundufite, gazetting Kafuga is a step in the right direction in conserving the environment and nature.
Kisoro district lacks enough forestry data to guide decision making on forestry.
Communities also lack adequate and alternative sources of energy prompting them to enter into the forest.
Rubuguri Deputy Mayor Bruno Happy said the initiative is timely and will go a long way in promoting Rubuguri as a tourism destination.
Bruno says people have been visiting the forest illegally and the town council has not been able to gain any revenue.
He said more sensitization needs to be done around communities bordering the forest so that the gazetting is received in good faith.
Beatrice Kabihogo of Uplifting the Rural Poor, the implementing Hub for WWF said they are committed to having the process completed without any complications.
She encouraged all stakeholders to consult widely and capture all the views of the people expected to benefit from Kafuga forest.
Warden in charge Bwindi impenetrable National South Sector Dickson Katana said it is imperative that Kafuga is gazetted and well protected because it is the only buffer remaining for Bwindi National Park.
Katana says the communities stand a better chance of benefiting from Government, especially Uganda Wildlife Authority in terms of protection and conservation, when the forest is gazetted.
At least two Stakeholders meeting have already taken place, involving district leadership at Bam Hotel in Kisoro Municipality
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