The Director of Research at the National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI), Dr. John Adriko met with staff on Monday November 24, 2025 to share a detailed update on the unfolding situation in Kifu Central Forest Reserve. The briefing came after several weeks of increased encroachment activity and visible damage within the forest reserve which significantly impacts on the forest and affects forestry research in Uganda.
During the meeting, the Director explained that the forest had remained peaceful until 7 November 2025, when NaFORRI received reports that a large group of people assembled at the forest starting to clear bushes. The MWE and NFA enforcement was tipped off and responded timely to halt any activity on site. However, later on from 11th November, the groups returned again to the site and continued bush clearing followed by depositing of sand on the site, cutting down of trees and grading the forest.
The matter was immediately escalated to the Ministry of Water and Environment, leading to a visit by the Acting Executive Director of the National Forestry Authority to the site to assess the situation. on-site discussions were held and resulted in a temporary understanding of parties involved.
Despite these efforts, new developments emerged from 12th November, when a grader entered the forest and began clearing it. By 15th November, as grading continued, the intruders started cutting down trees, which eventually spread widely to other areas such as Mpoma, away from the area of contention.
These events led to a meeting at the Ministry of Water and Environment, where it was agreed that a multi-pronged approach be used to handle the situation including engaging the press, and political leaders as well as pursuing the legal regime as the forest had never been gazetted. Plans for a high-level press briefing were discussed, and legal teams were assigned to follow up on matters of encroachment and forest degradation.
On 22nd November, 2025 NEMA enforcement team swung into action and impounded two graders that were clearing the forest citing lack of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearance. NARO and the Attorney General have also responded by suing Victoria Car Bond for vandalizing scientific research assets in the Kifu Forest Reserve.
The Director of Research further implored staff to remain vigilant to notify leadership of any suspicious activity in the forest as we all have a role to play in protecting the forest. He emphasized the importance of restoring the degraded areas, particularly through tree planting.