OVER 150000 RAKAI PEOPLE TO BE EVICTED BY NATIONAL FORESTRY AUTHORITY

www.mknewslink.com
In Rakai
Officials from National Forestry Authority (NFA) have said that over 150,000 people in Rakai district who illegally encroached on forest land will be evicted.
The people within six sub- counties of Kagamba, Kyalurangira, Dwanilo, Buyamba, Kacheera and Kiziba sub-counties are to be evicted
NFA officials told www.mknewslink.com that the locals settled on three forest reserves including Lake Kijanebalaro, Kyamazzi and Kyalwamuka central forest reserve which they have degraded at a high speed.
They further revealed that what used to be hills covered by shrub and trees now comprise banana plantations and permanent settlements for the locals who claim to have settled there for many decades ago.
Speaking to some of the residents in these villages, they told us that they cannot be forced to vacate their ancestral land because they have nowhere to.
Steven Galima, the coordinator natural forests management who represented the executive director of NFA in this meeting, advised leaders to guide their subjects on laws about settling on forestry land.
Galima warned that since they managed to cleared those on Mt. Elgon and in Mabira forest, nothing will stop them in Rakai.
Previously President Museveni issued directives to restore all forests that were destroyed but unfortunately most of the forest reserves have been destroyed.

Source: www.mknewslink.com a greater western Uganda news website
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