Hope for the Kitubulu Forest: Uganda halts plans to clear protected reserve

On the shores of Lake Victoria in Entebbe stands Kitubulu Forest Reserve, a small, protected forest of roughly 80 hectares. For years, it has quietly protected the lake from pollution and flooding, provided habitat for wildlife and supported nearby communities. Recently, it came close to being lost.

Around 61 hectares of the reserve had been licensed for clearing to make way for government offices, a shopping mall and other infrastructure. Most of the forest would have disappeared. Now, after months of pressure from civil society organizations, the president of Uganda has ordered the cancellation of all land titles issued over the forest reserve.

“The presidential directive to cancel all titles over Kitubulu Forest restores hope to conservation efforts in the country, especially at a time when we have been warned that should the temperatures rise above 1.5 degrees it would be disastrous. This decision comes amid a global climate crisis where every tree, wetland and forest counts.  Uganda is already suffering the adverse effects of climate change, so we cannot stand by idly and watch forests be replaced with commercial structures. We are happy that this decision has been reversed, because we cannot talk about climate action while destroying the ecosystems that protect us.’’ 

Joan Akiiza, 

Executive Director, 
Fem Earth – Women for the Planet

Most of the forest was at risk

Uganda’s National Forest Authority issued a license to the Chinese Tian Tang Group. Additional hectares were also allocated to Abacus African Ventures for clearing to set up ecotourism facilities. If implemented, the project would have cleared most of the forest, leaving only a small portion intact. 

This threat comes at a time when Uganda is already losing between 50,500 and 121,400 hectares of forest each year according to Global Forest Watch. Forests are being cleared for agriculture, in response to high population pressure and weak enforcement of forest laws, yet the government continues to clear forests for development, even as the country prepares for expanded oil production and projects such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. In this context, forests like Kitubulu are more important than ever. 

Kitubulu Forest is classified as a Category IV protected area under the IUCN, serving as a critical buffer for Lake Victoria. For local communities, the forest is part of daily life. It provides firewood, medicinal plants, mushrooms, fruits, honey and fertile soil for growing food.

Civil society action made the difference

After sustained pressure from FEM EARTH and other civil society organizations who challenged the allocation of protected forest land and called for adherence to environmental law, an important breakthrough has been achieved: The president of Uganda ordered the cancellation of all land titles issued over Kitubulu Forest Reserve.

Rainforest Rescue supported FEM EARTH’s efforts with donations, helping to strengthen advocacy and coordination at a critical moment.

The work continues

While this development brings hope, the process is not yet complete. FEM EARTH and its partners are working closely with their legal team to ensure that the cancellation of the land titles is fully implemented and legally secured. They remain vigilant until the forest’s protection is guaranteed in practice – not only on paper.

Kitubulu may be modest in size, but its importance is immense for wildlife, for communities, for Lake Victoria and for Uganda’s climate future. The recent presidential directive is proof that collective action can make a difference.

The fight is not over. But today, there is real reason for hope.