Entebbe – Katabi Leaders Unite to Save Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve

Immediate actions agreed upon included halting all illegal encroachments that threaten the survival of Kitubulu Forest, stopping all development activities within the forest to prevent further environmental damage, and implementing a reforestation plan to restore the graded areas.

Moses Sentamu July 20, 2025

Moses Ssentamu

In a decisive move to safeguard one of Uganda’s ecological gems located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe Mayor Fabrice Rulinda and Katabi Town Council chairperson Ronald Kalema Basamulekere have teamed up with local residents and environmental activists, led by Women In Climate Change Uganda, to combat plans threatening the Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve, the last remaining forest in the municipality.

During a meeting held on July 18, 2025, at the municipality headquarters, prompted by concerns raised by environmental activists, including prominent figure Nanyonjo Vikman, and attended by Moses Muhumuza, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) Director of Legal Affairs, it was revealed that a company named Tripple Sound Investment Ltd had illegally graded part of the Kitubulu forest.

**Katabi Town-council Chairperson Ronald Kalema during the stakeholders meeting at Entebbe Municipality headquarters**

This issue came to light during a Walk For Climate Change campaign organized by Women In Climate Change Uganda on July 12, where participants discovered significant grading within the forest during their 10KM walk that concluded at Lake Victoria Primary School. Vikman Nanyonjo emphasized the forest’s importance in fighting climate change and maintaining biodiversity, pledging to advocate for its preservation in line with global environmental objectives.

Muhumuza announced that the Ministry of Lands had revoked fraudulent land titles associated with the forest, following a request from the NFA. The meeting focused on four main priorities: reviewing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report, examining minutes from previous stakeholder meetings, exploring sustainable eco-tourism development options, and identifying beneficiaries of eco-tourism licenses.

The Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve, covering approximately 80 hectares, was gazetted in 1932 and is classified as a category IV protected area. The forest has faced ongoing threats over the years, including a controversial 2018 fencing project for cottages now operating as an eco-tourism site under the name De-Rain, which sparked public outcry to protect the remaining forest. In 2024, a disputed transfer of 46.2 hectares of land to Tripple Sound Investment Ltd raised alarms among various stakeholders concerned about the potential destruction of Entebbe’s only natural wind barrier in the name of development.

**Entebbe Mayor Fabrice Rulinda joins the women in 10KM Walk for Climate Change Campaign**

Rulinda described Kitubulu as the “green heart” of Entebbe, filtering pollutants for Lake Victoria and supporting over 100 bird species. He called on residents and stakeholders to participate in the effort to restore the forest and ensure its future. To demonstrate his commitment, Rulinda announced a reforestation campaign set to launch this week.