Ruzaire Central Forest Reserve

Ruzaire Central Forest Reserve is a protected high forest located in Kibaale district which is in the located within the Albertine Region.^[1][2] It covers an area of 1194.94 hectares.^[3] It is managed by the National Forestry Authority.^[1][2][4]

Setting and geography

Ruzaire Central Forest Reserve covers an area of 1194.94 hectares.^[3] It is located in the Muzizi zone. It is used for both for ecological and environmental purposes.The Muzizi zone extends from Kikuube to Ntoroko districts through Kibale, Kakumiro, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa and Mubende.^[5]

Location coordinates are: 0.9857°N 30.9728°E / 0.9857; 30.9728

The forest is a water catchment area for both River Ruzaire which drains into Nkuse and Muzizi rivers.^[6]

Wildlife

The forest is a home for different wildlife species such as chimpanzees, monkeys such as Redtailed monkeys and birds.^[5]

Conservation status

In 2017, National Forestry Authority sought to hire all the forest reserves which included Ruzaire Central forest reserve on a 49-year lease basis to people who wanted to use them for commercial tree growing.^[1][2]

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) was dragged to court and the Banyoro community organization, Bunyoro Kitara Reparations Agency (BUKITAREPA) demanded that NFA should be stopped from issuing licenses in forest reserves which included Ruzaire and also cancel the existing .^[7]

In 2014, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) received 2 billion Ugandan shillings that was to be used in marking of boundaries of 18 central forest reserves that included; Ruzaire, Kananga, Kagombe in various districts of Uganda such as Kibaale, Mubende, Kyenjojo among others.^[8]

Threats

Commercial farming for trees and sugarcanes, encroachment, growing numbers immigrants from the neighbouring countries such as Rwanda who grab the forest reserve land, high deforestation, illegal commercial logging, politicians stopping evictions to use it for get votes from their voters, deforestation.^{[1][2][9][10][4][11][5][12][13]}

See also

1. Albertine Rift montane forests
2. Nyamakere
3. Nyabyeya
4. Nyabiku
5. List of Central Forest Reserves of Uganda

References

1. "NFA in the spotlight over forest reserve giveaways". Monitor. 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
2. "NFA accused of sidelining locals in forest giveaways". Monitor. 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
3. Andrew, Plumptre (2002). Extent and Status of the Forests in the Ugandan Albertine Rift (PDF). Uganda. p. 43.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
4. Nakkazi, Esther (2015-05-07). "Uganda's forests dwindle as illegal settlers hollow them out". New Scientist. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
5. National Plan for Managing Wildlife Outside UWA Protected Areas 2021/2022 - 2030/2031. Uganda: Uganda Wildlife Authority. 2020. pp. 9, 18, 40.
6. "3.2 - Sensitivity of forests". EIN Uganda Clearinghouse. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
7. "National Forestry Authority, Banyoro Fight Over Bunyoro Forests | The Kampala Post". kampalapost.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
8. "NFA needs sh21b to mark forest boundaries". New Vision. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
9. Musoke, Ronald (2021-04-26). "Race on to restore Uganda's forests". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
10. Musasizi, Simon (2014-10-10). "Foreigners fell Uganda's forests". The Observer - Uganda. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
11. "Heated election season threatens forest cover". Anti Corruption Coalition Uganda. 2015-10-22. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
12. Ssonko, Sunrise (2015-03-20). "NFA shows how to stem forest destruction | Sunrise". Retrieved 2023-05-25.
13. "Executive order No3: Museveni bans charcoal trade, guides on the Balaalo". Monitor. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-05-29.