Uganda, a country renowned for its diverse ecosystems and rich natural resources, has long been the center of a contentious battle over land and forest resources between the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and local communities in farming communities. This struggle is emblematic of a larger global issue concerning the rights and management of natural resources by governments and other stakeholders. Uganda's forests and land are not only critical for biodiversity conservation but also for the livelihoods of many local communities. However, the NFA has historically asserted its ownership and control over these areas, leading to displacement, reduced access to resources, and conflicts with indigenous peoples and communities who have inhabited these lands for generations.
The NFA has often focused on conservation efforts, including tree planting and preventing illegal logging and access to forest reserves in order to protect the environment and other natural resources. This approach, however, sometimes clashes with the need for local communities to utilize these resources for their sustenance. The demand for timber and charcoal, grazing areas for animals in Uganda, as well as globally, has resulted in illegal logging activities, and encroachment by the local communities within protected forests, further exacerbating the tension between the NFA and local communities.
In Apac district, Northern Uganda, there is a contentious struggle between the local communities and the National Forestry Authority over Maruzi Ranch Forest Reserve. The Ranch is one of the protected areas in Uganda located in Apac District in northern Uganda. It is known for its savannah and woodland habitat and is home to a variety of wildlife species. The local communities reported that the National Forestry Authority (NFA) has extended the government boundaries to the community land where members in the community used to rear their animals and get local herbs for treating different kinds of illness. Residents noted that if the government has a plan, the local communities should be engaged so that an agreement can be made but members should not be left to suffer and live under intense fear for their lives.
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Bloodshed Looming in Akokoro Sub county between Local Communities and the National Forestry Authority (NFA) over Maruzi Ranch Forest Reserve
National Forestry Authority (NFA) has extended the government boundaries covering even the community land where they used to rear their animals and getting local herbs from. According to Samuel Ogwal, a true resident of the place, there is a mark stone that shows the boundaries but the government still went ahead and extended the boundaries to peoples’ land. The army has been installed in the place and is intimidating the community, raping young girls and women, confiscating peoples’ animals and NFA has removed 3 mark stones that demarcated the boundary.
“If the government and the local leaders that we trust don’t help us, there will be death here” Mr. Ogwal aggressively warned. “We are not even allowed to graze our animals in our land! What do you expect? There will surely be bloodshed over this land. Local leaders need to intervene soon to try to calm the situation otherwise we have been hurt already” Mr. Ogwal added.
According to the woman councilor, many women have lost their pregnancies and others lost lives as a result of being raped by the army.“We are going to revenge for the lost lives as the people who died over this land were our people. We need to avenge their death”. The woman Councilor angrily noted.
Rt. Captain Bosco Wacha, a community member and one of the affected land users said that the government grabbed peoples’ land and deployed the army that is raping their women and daughters. “We are trained people and if there is no action, we are going to mobilize ourselves and attack them, have them killed and we use our land the way we want” Rt. Captain uttered.
Bloodshed Looming in Akokoro Sub county between Local Communities and the National Forestry Authority (NFA) over Maruzi Ranch Forest Reserve
National Forestry Authority (NFA) has extended the government boundaries covering even the community land where they used to rear their animals and getting local herbs from. According to Samuel Ogwal, a true resident of the place, there is a mark stone that shows the boundaries but the government still went ahead and extended the boundaries to peoples’ land. The army has been installed in the place and is intimidating the community, raping young girls and women, confiscating peoples’ animals and NFA has removed 3 mark stones that demarcated the boundary.
“If the government and the local leaders that we trust don’t help us, there will be death here” Mr. Ogwal aggressively warned. “We are not even allowed to graze our animals in our land! What do you expect? There will surely be bloodshed over this land. Local leaders need to intervene soon to try to calm the situation otherwise we have been hurt already” Mr. Ogwal added.
According to the woman councilor, many women have lost their pregnancies and others lost lives as a result of being raped by the army.“We are going to revenge for the lost lives as the people who died over this land were our people. We need to avenge their death”. The woman Councilor angrily noted.
Rt. Captain Bosco Wacha, a community member and one of the affected land users said that the government grabbed peoples’ land and deployed the army that is raping their women and daughters. “We are trained people and if there is no action, we are going to mobilize ourselves and attack them, have them killed and we use our land the way we want” Rt. Captain uttered.
Members of the community checking out the mark stone
“If the government and the local leaders that we trust don’t help us, there will be death here”Mr. Ogwal aggressively warned. “We are not even allowed to graze our animals in our land! What do you expect? There will surely be bloodshed over this land. Local leaders need to intervene soon to try to calm the situation otherwise we have been hurt already” Mr. Ogwal added.
The struggle over natural resources like Maruzi Ranch in Apac district has overtime had significant impacts on the local communities ranging from displacement and dispossession where many communities have been forcibly displaced from their ancestral lands, leading to the loss of their homes, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. There has been increased poverty and food Insecurity in communities. The restrictions on resource access have led to poverty and food insecurity among these communities, who heavily rely on forest products for their income and sustenance.
The adversarial relationship between the National Forestry Authority and local communities has always resulted in mistrust and tension, hindering the potential for collaborative conservation efforts by all stakeholders. This has led to derailed implementation of government projects and access to social services by the local communities.
However, addressing the conflicts over natural resources including forest reserves in Uganda requires a multifaceted approach. Government, Local Government officials, and community members need to do the following;
The government should ensure the degazetting of the forest reserves and community land.
The government needs to survey and demarcate forest reserves in the country by independent Surveyors so as to settle disputes with local communities.
There should be inclusive decision-making. The collaborative efforts between the NFA and local communities, involving community participation in the decision-making process, help in finding common ground and balance conservation with the needs of local populations.
There should be secure land rights and tenure systems for local communities. Legal recognition of communal landownership and fair compensation for displaced communities addresses historical injustices and loss of lives arising from conflicts over natural resources.
The government should implement sustainable forest management practices that allow controlled resource extraction while maintaining the ecological integrity of these areas can benefit both conservation and the local livelihoods of the local communities.
The government should raise awareness among both local communities and the NFA about the importance of sustainable resource management that fosters a shared commitment to protect Uganda's natural resources.
Members of the community checking out the mark stone 