Luggo Forest also known as Luggo Cultural Forest is an heritage site and tourism Centre and home to many tree species in the Bujumba subcounty of Uganda's Kalangala district.[1][2][3][4][5][6] It is a private forest found in Buswa Village along Kalangala -Mulabana Road surrounded by oil palm plantations.[1][7] It is the only forest containing the tree where the mace (Ddamula) symbolizing the authority of the Katikkiro is cut from.[1][8] The mace commonly known as "Ddamula" was handed over by the Kabaka to the Katikkiro symbolizing the transfer of authority to the Katikkiro to rule over Buganda on his behalf.[1][7]
The forest is a source of revenue to the district with 15% given to the owner of the forest.[1]
Controversy edit
The forest is losing the natural tree cover with only five mature trees left in the forest because of too much tree cutting for charcoal, firewood, and timber.[1][7][5] Many indigenous trees gave been cut off for timber and charcoal with half of the forest sold off to oil palm growers.[1] Only eight acres of the forest have been reserved and the rest of it has been given to the oil palm growers.[7][2] However, plans are underway to restore the forest.[7]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g "Luggo forest on verge of extinction". Monitor. 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
- ^ a b Lubulwa, Henry (27 April 2019). "Luggo Forest Land Leased for Palm Oil Growing". Uganda Radio Network. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ URN (2020-11-23). "Kalangala hotels maintain low prices despite spike in tourists". The Observer - Uganda. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
- ^ Reporter, Independent (2020-11-23). "Kalangala hotels maintain price cuts despite increase of local tourists". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
- ^ a b "EU a strategic partner to Uganda's transition to green energy". Bukedde. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
- ^ "Tales From the Ever Green Kalangala". ChimpReports. 2018-10-21. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
- ^ a b c d e "Encroachers eating Luggo Cultural Forest Reserve away". New Vision. Retrieved 2023-09-30.
- ^ Lubulwa, Henry (27 September 2015). "Uganda: Man Asks Buganda Kingdom to Pay Him Shs9 Billion for Forest". AllAfrica. Retrieved 30 September 2023.