The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kibaale, Godfrey Kamagara, has warned people encroaching on Kangombe Central Forest Reserve to stop the illegal activities, cautioning that those who fail to comply will face prosecution.
Kamagara made the appeal yesterday during a community outreach in Nyamarunda Sub-county, Kibale District, where he expressed concern over the continued encroachment and destruction of the forest, saying the activities have contributed to changing climatic conditions and disrupted weather patterns.
He emphasized that forests play a critical role in environmental conservation and climate regulation, urging residents to protect Kangombe Central Forest Reserve for the benefit of present and future generations.
Kamagara further revealed that the forest, which also serves as a tourist attraction, is undergoing restoration by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) following a government directive to crack down on forest encroachers.
He warned that individuals who continue to occupy or destroy the protected forest despite government efforts to restore it risk being prosecuted through the Environment Protection Court.
The RDC called on residents to cooperate with relevant authorities in protecting the forest reserve, stressing that environmental conservation is a collective responsibility that must be upheld to safeguard the environment and restore the area’s ecological balance.