about 7000 people have encroached on central forest reserves.
This was revealed by the District Sector Manager of the National Forestry Authority, Ms Mazimakwo Kukundakwe, while addressing journalists in Hoima recently.

She urged those occupying forest reserves to vacate them, saying they are degrading the environment and sabotaging NFA activities. Kukundakwe said the residents were felling trees, poaching animals and blocking NFA staff from surveying and demarcating the forest reserves.

"We are holding talks with local leaders to convince them to unconditionally vacate the reserves before the end of this year," Kukundakwe said.