Close to 8,000 families in Luwunga forest reserve are in tears after their houses were set ablaze by suspected officials from the New Forest Company, the company charged with managing gazzetted forests.
More than 10 houses were set on fire on Tuesday night, destroying property worth millions of shillings.
Most of the affected families have been living on this piece of land illegally. They however argue that the New Forest Company officials, failed to respect the agreement reached between the National Forest Authority and Kiboga district local government.
Niyonzima John, the area parish councilor, says that a meeting held recently, agreed to give the encroachers some time to allow the encroachers harvest their crops and look for alternative places to live.
The meeting was chaired by the National Executive Director National Forest Authority Hudson Andrua.
Niyonzima says that the encroachers were treated to a rude shock when some people turned up and set their houses ablaze, and also slashed down all their crops.
James Mukiibi, The Kiboga district Resident District Commissioner, has described the action as unacceptable. He says that burning the houses was contrary to the agreements reached at during the Luwunga meeting.
But Paul Sanya, the programmes coordinator, New Forest Company, has denied claims that his officers were responsible for burning down the houses.
Sanya says the houses could have been burned down by some unscrupulous people, taking advantage of the current stand off between the National Forestry Authority and the people.
