The reserve is managed by the National Forestry Authority, which is mandated to "manage Central Forest Reserves on a sustainable basis and to supply high quality forestry-related products and services to government, local communities and the private sector."[4] The NFA operates as a semi-autonomous corporation under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act 8/2003, with a vision of being a world-class global leader in sustainable forest management.[4]
Green resources operations
The Green Resources company operates a significant tree plantation within the reserve area. When Green Resources was licensed by the Ugandan state, there were many people living on and cultivating the land designated for tree planting.[5] As a consequence of the plantation establishment, these populations have been relocated and are now living in three main villages inside the Bukaleba plantation: Bukaleba, Nakalanga, and Walumbe.[5]
Community impact
Many of the inhabitants work for Green Resources as casual workers on monthly contracts, while others maintain claims to moral and legal rights to the plantation land.[5] The establishment of the plantation has created ongoing tensions between the company, local communities, and government authorities regarding land rights and access to traditional forest resources.[5]
Setting and structure
Its geographical location
Bukaleba Central Forest Reserve covers four villages of Nakalanga, Bukaleba, Walumbe, and Namugongo and lies in the Chiefdom of Bunya in Mayuge District. It covers an area of 97 square kilometers with an altitudinal range of 1158m to 1334m.[6]
The government introduced the Bukaleba Forest Project in 2012 that focused on reafforestation using pine, eucalyptus and Maesoposis Eminii tree species and is to last for 42 years.[7]
The forest reserve serves as part of Uganda's broader afforestation and reforestation efforts aimed at contributing to climate change mitigation.[5] The area was historically known for containing Prunus Africana tree species used for herbal medicine, as well as wildlife including buffalos, monkeys, leopards and 47 bird species.[9]
Challenges
This forest reserve has experienced a number of small to medium-sized fires, extreme climatic conditions such as drought.[9] The forest reserve is facing a problem of charcoal burning activities by the locals as confirmed by environmental officials.[9]
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