Herdsmen have invaded Kikonda Forest Reserve in Kyankwazi district, occupying the area illegally grazing cattle there.
Pastoralists neighboring the forest are now cutting the barbed wired fence around the forest to graze their animals in the reserve.
Deogratius Nsengiyumva, the forest security supervisor says his office is overwhelmed by the problem. Nsengiyumva explains that the unscrupulous pastoralists always dodge the game rangers at night to let their animals into the forest reserve.
He says measures are being taken to address the problem including deploying more game rangers in vain. Several animals have been impounded and owners arrested and prosecuted.
Two weeks ago, 96 heads of cattle were impounded from the forest reserve and the owner arrested and prosecuted. The security supervisor says despite this action the pastoralists have continued to break into the forest reserve.
The problem has been most felt in Rwencibibi and Kigando villages, where several trees have been destroyed by the animals especially the newly planted ones.
Early this year Kikonda forest reserve was burnt down by unknown people leaving a larger portion of it destroyed.
Alex Kyabona, the reserve public relations officer says among other avenues, they are also engaging the pastoralists to try to lure them away from grazing into the forestry reserve.
Global Woods, a German organization is in charge of the reserve. Kyabona explains that they have instructions from the investor not to allow any animal into the reserve or else the organisation withdraws from the project.
Kikonda forestry reserve sits on a 12,000 hectare piece of land spanning the two sub counties of Butemba and Nsambya in Kyankwanzi district. The reserve contains mainly commercial tree species such as Musizi, Pine and Eucalyptus.
