By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has written a letter ordering the Minister of Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris to work on cancelling all land titles issued to all alleged investors in Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve in Entebbe Municipality.
In his letter, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni credited Entebbe Mayor Fabrice Brad Rulinda for being at the forefront in fighting Kitubulu Forest encroachers.
The letter dated December 23,2025 addressed to the Minister for Water and Environment and copied to the Vice President, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, the Attorney General, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Wildlife Authority and Entebbe Mayor, reads in parts :
“Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve is a vital remnant of the lowland forests surrounding Lake Victoria, filtering pollutants and silt that endanger the Lake Victoria basin. Preserving that Forest Reserve is important for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation and for protecting the Lake Victoria basin; therefore, it must be protected at all costs.”
“The National Forestry Authority (NFA) in Uganda was established in 2004 to protect forests, yet between 2004 and 2025, the Country lost 1.1 million hectares of natural forest cover under its watch. Why? Because of corruption and collusion in illegal activities. Do you remember Damian Akankwasa, the former Executive Director of the NFA who kept 900 million under his bed? What was the source of that money? Collusion with traders to illegally cut high-value trees for timber in the central forest reserve, which he was mandated to protect,” President Yoweri Museveni wondered how corrupt officials sell government forests.
In his tough letter president Yoweri Museveni continued:
“I have been informed that I approved the development of a shopping mall, hotel, and a mini city at Kitubulu. This was based on wrong information. Liaise with the Prime Minister, Minister for Lands; Uganda Investment Authority and the Uganda Land Commission to get our investors alternative land outside protected areas. This is, therefore, to direct you to cancel all titles issued in the Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve,” President Yoweri Museveni ordered Minister Sam Cheptoris to quickly implement his directive.
The President directs the Minister to ensure that the cutting of trees stops immediately.
“I salute the Entebbe Mayor, Fabrice Rulinda, for standing against those selfish and senseless anti-environmental groups,” President Yoweri Museveni commended Mayor Fabrice Brad Rulinda for a good job done in fighting forest encroachers.’
