In Uganda, Local Forest Reserves (LFRs) are legally protected forested areas managed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act, 2003. The NFA is mandated to oversee all 506 forest reserves in Uganda, which form part of the country’s wider protected areas network.
These reserves are established to conserve biodiversity, regulate climate, protect watersheds, and provide timber, fuelwood, and non-timber resources for sustainable use. Unlike Central Forest Reserves, which often have national importance, Local Forest Reserves are smaller and typically serve district-level ecological and community needs.
Sample List of Local Forest Reserves
The following are selected Local Forest Reserves in Uganda, as listed by the NFA:
| Rank | Name | Size (km²) | District | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Katenta | 5.10 | Kabarole | – |
| 2 | Kebisoni | 6.48 | Rukungiri | – |
| 3 | Kagogo | 2.52 | Rukungiri | – |
| 4 | Kibale | 1.45 | Kibale | – |
| 5 | Butebe | 6.79 | Kabarole | – |
| 6 | Butiti | 2.33 | Kabarole | – |
| 7 | Hoima | 4.90 | Hoima | – |
| 8 | Ibanda | 14.37 | Mbarara | – |
| 9 | Kabwohe | 3.09 | Bushenyi | – |
| 10 | Kahunge | 4.89 | Kabarole | – |
| 11 | Kakumiro | 25.84 | Kibale | – |
| 12 | Kanyampara | 62.36 | Kasese | One of the largest LFRs |
| 13 | Kihihi | 35.86 | Rukungiri | – |
| 14 | Kijubya | 27.08 | Hoima | – |
| 15 | Kooga | 10.93 | Bushenyi | – |
| 16 | Kyamuhunga | 7.83 | Bushenyi | – |
| 17 | Mpara | 1.21 | Kabarole | Among the smallest |
| 18 | Nyabirongo | 16.12 | Kasese | – |
| 19 | Nyakinoni | 5.25 | Kabarole | – |
| 20 | Nyantungo | 5.78 | Kabarole | – |
| 21 | Nyakigumba | 10.83 | Kabarole | – |
| 22 | Nyakikindo | 38.64 | Bundibugyo | – |
Importance
- Environmental Conservation: LFRs protect Uganda’s fragile ecosystems, preventing soil erosion and promoting water retention.
- Biodiversity Protection: They harbor unique flora and fauna, including endangered species.
- Community Livelihoods: Provide firewood, medicinal plants, and limited grazing under sustainable use guidelines.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Act as carbon sinks contributing to Uganda’s climate resilience.
✅ Uganda’s 506 Local Forest Reserves represent a crucial part of the country’s natural resource management strategy, balancing conservation and local development needs.
