NFA orders licensed tree planters to vacate Kyewaga Central Forest Reserve

By Our reporter

In its effort to restore the degraded Kyewaga Central  Forest Reserve situated in Katabi town council, Wakiso district,  the National Forest Authority has issued a notice to over 20 commercial tree planters to vacate the government Forest after their license expired last year. 

According to the notice signed by Paul Musamali on behalf of NFA Executive Director, the affected persons whose license expired, have been told to vacate and stop utilizing the forest land on top of removing any movable items that they have on it.

In response to the eviction notice, the affected persons have vowed not to vacate and demand compensation and more time to first harvest their trees or else they will sue the National Forestry Authority for unlawful eviction.

Paul Druchi, the former NFA  Director in charge of tree plantation who is also affected by the eviction order, says he will not vacate on grounds that his licence  is still running till 2030 and can only vacate if he is compensated.

The area councilor Chris Lugayizi, also among the affected people , said he can not just lose his 10 hectares of tree plantation and demand for  more time to harvest them or else he will sue  NFA , if the authority refuses to compensate him.

Other affected commercial tree planters have also vowed to defy the eviction notice saying though their permits and licenses expired last year, NFA should at least compensate them.

It should be noted that in 2012, NFA issued a license to Hajji Isa Kigundu, the Director Inta Build East Africa Ltd , to set up an Eco-Tourism project code named Lake Victoria Resort City on the contentious government forest . The developer however,attempted to meet  commercial tree planters with valid permits and licenses then and agreed to compensate them but after thorough assessment of the project he realized it was not viable and decided to pull out.