Nyakarongo Central Forest Reserve is a protected area located in Kibaale district, western Uganda[1] approximately 215 kilometers from Kampala, the Capital City of Uganda.[2] The forest reserve covers an area of 3,535 hectares.[3]
| Nyakarongo Central Forest Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Nyakarongo forest | |
| Location | Western region, Kibaale District, Western Region, Uganda |
| Nearest city | Kibaale district |
| Area | 3,535 hectares |
| Governing body | National Forestry Authority |
Setting and Structure
editThe forest reserve is located in Mugarama sub-county and Kangombe village. It is situated close to the villages Wantema, Bigaga and Katwetwe. It is located at latitude 0.8378° or 0° 50' 16" north and longitude 31.1548° or 31° 9' 17" east.[4]
Conservation Status
editNyakarongo is a protected reserve area managed by the National Forestry Authority,[1] a government agency responsible for enforcing protection of the ecosystem in all forest reserves and significantly minimizing encroachment and deforestation.[5]
Threats
editNyakarongo Forest Reserve, along with other forests in Kibaale district, was significantly depleted by new settlers and Banyoro in 1990s. The other forests included Kagombe, Kasaato, Nyakarongo, and Ruzaire.[6]
In 2023, 34 persons were imprisoned in Kibaale district for destroying the Nyakarango protected forest. The forestry authority took action due to the worrisome rate of forest loss in Kibaale area. An estimated 1,000 Banyoro encroached on the district's five forest reserves, totaling approximately 5,000 hectares.[3] The arrests were a significant step forward in the fight against deforestation in the Kibaale district.[1][3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "34 held over destroying forests". New Vision. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ Overview | Kibaale District.” Accessed May 31, 2023. https://www.kibaale.go.ug/lg/overview .
- ^ a b c Kasooha. 2009. “Uganda: 1,000 Invade Forests - AllAfrica.Com.” Retrieved May 31, 2023 (https://allafrica.com/stories/200909281004.html ).
- ^ "Kibaale, Uganda - GeoYP.com". Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "Office of the Auditor General Uganda". www.oag.go.ug. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ Lumumba-Kasongo, Tukumbi; Gahama, Joseph; Bakenge, Jean-Marie Katubadi; Baligira, John; Empengele, Jean Liyongo; Gaboua, Solange Patricia; Mbambu, Félicien Kabamba; Mureha, François-Xavier; Tayeebwa, William (2017-11-06). Peace, Security and Post-conflict Reconstruction in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. CODESRIA Books Publication System.