Zoka Forest

Zoka Forest
East Moyo Wildlife Reserve
Map showing the location of Zoka Forest

Location in Uganda

Location Adjumani District, Northern Region, Uganda
Nearest city Adjumani
Coordinates 03°01′03″N 31°39′21″E / 3.01750°N 31.65583°E / 3.01750; 31.65583Coordinates: 03°01′03″N 31°39′21″E / 3.01750°N 31.65583°E / 3.01750; 31.65583
Area 1,259 ha (12.59 km2) (Tropical Forest),10,000 ha (100 km2) (Wildlife Reserve Area)
Governing body National Forestry Authority


Zoka Forest is a natural tropical rain forest in the Northern Region of Uganda. The forest is a component of the larger East Moyo Wildlife Reserve.[1]

Location

The forest in located in the southern part of Adjumani District,[2] approximately 50 kilometres (31 mi), south of Adjumani, the district capital.[3] The coordinates of Zoka Forest are: 03°01'03.0"N, 31°39'21.0"E (Latitude:3.017500; Longitude:31.655830).[4]

Overview

Situated in Itirikwa sub-county and Ukusijoni sub-county, in the southern part of Adjumani District, Zoka Central Forest Reserve measures about 1,259 hectares (4.86 sq mi). It is the only natural tropical rain forest and the only natural forest resource in in Adjumani District.[5]

Conflicting interests

UPDF vs NFA

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) has in the past accused members of the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) of illegally felling trees in the forest reserve and transporting the logs out of the forest, using UPDF trucks. In October, the Ajumani District Resident District Commissioner told a press conference that she had photographs of UPDF trucks ferrying timber out of the forest. Her investigation followed the vehicles being to Pabbo Army Detach in Amuru District, under the command of the 4th Division of the UPDF, headquartered in Gulu. The UPDF has mounted an investigation led by the 4th Division Commander, Brigadier Kayanja Muhanga.[5]

Cabinet ministers disagree

On Friday 4 October 2016, Persis Namuganza, the State Minister for Lands called a press conference to announce plans to de-gazette part of the Zoka Forest to allow the Madhvani Group to row sugarcane in the area and relieve the contract farmers in the Busoga sub-region. The contract farmers in Busoga are starving because they forgot to grow food for their own sustenance and planted sugarcane for sugar production instead.[1]

The plan evoked immediate outrage from environmental groups, NFA, politicians and concerned citizens. General Moses Ali, the Deputy Prime Minister and a member of parliament from Adjumani District, called an impromptu meeting in which Betty Amongi the Cabinet Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development disowned the plan announced by her junior minister.[6]

Prime Minister launches own probe

In August 2016 the Prime Minister of Uganda, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda launched his own investigation into the plundering of Zika Forest. The four-person team is led by Mary Karooro Okurut, the Cabinet Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister. Other team members include Betty Amongi, the Lands and Housing minister, Sam Cheptoris the Cabinet Minister of Water and Environment and the Minister of State for Northern Uganda, Grace Kwiyucwiny.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Ampurire, Paul (7 October 2016). "Government to Degazette Zoka Forest for Sugarcane Plantation". Kampala: Chimpreports.com. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  2. ↑ Google (11 November 2016). "Map Showing Adjumani District With Zoka Forest in the Extreme South, Close to the Border With Amuru District" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  3. ↑ Globefeed.com (11 November 2016). "Distance between Adjumani, Northern Region, Uganda and Zoka Forest, East Moyo, Northern Region, Uganda". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  4. ↑ Google (11 November 2016). "The Geographical Coordinates of Zoka Forest, Adjumani District, Northern Region, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  5. 1 2 Julius Ocungi, and James Owich (6 October 2016). "Uganda: UPDF Forms Committee to Probe Plunder of Zoka Forest". Daily Monitor via AllAfrica.com. Kampala. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  6. ↑ Kasozi, Ephraim (10 October 2016). "Ministers Disagree on Zoka Central Forest Giveaway". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  7. ↑ BGA (6 August 2016). "Ruhakana Rugunda Appoints Four Ministers to probe Zoka Forest Plunder". Business Guide Africa (BGA). Retrieved 11 November 2016.
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