NFA moves to cancel titles in Soroti central reserve

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Forestry Authority-NFA is to identify all the people who acquired titles for land in Soroti Central Forest Reserve in Soroti Municipality and recommend them to the Commissioner Land registration for cancellation.

Stuart Maniraguha, the NFA Range Manager Kyoga disclosed this while showing a team of experts from the Water and Environment Ministry, officials from several districts in Eastern Uganda, National Environment Management Authority and NFA around Soroti Central Forest Reserve.

The forest reserve which measures 389 hectares is under Awoja water catchment area is 389. Its management plan is to provide fuel wood and conserve the river, which supplies water to Soroti town.

During the tour, the officials were was shocked to discover that Soroti Municipality had sold some plots of land in the Central Forest Reserve to developers.

Maniraguha said because of its location in the heart of the Municipality, the authorities recommended the issuance of illegal titles on the forest land.

Soroti Resident District Commissioner-RDC, William Wilberforce Tukei, said his office is going to establish those who sold the forest land illegally.

The officials were in Soroti for a meeting organized by Kyoga Water Management Zone under the directorate of water resources management in the Water and Environment Ministry at Akello Hotel in Soroti District.

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