Bugamba Central Forest reserve is a natural forest located in the Rwampara district, in southwestern Uganda. It has been referred to as an intensive soil conservation zone.[3][4][5][6] The Reserve is one of the few softwood plantations where spacing is practiced.[7][8][9] It is managed and is maintained on behalf of the Government of Uganda by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) under the National Forestry Authority and Tree Planting Act 8/2003.[10]
Bugamba Central Forest Reserve encompasses the ridges and gullies running from the Karamurani Ridges to the Rubingo Valley. The Reserve covers a large amount of high ground and numerous valleys, including the majority of the Kyezo valley's western watershed.[5] It is situated approximately 27 kilometres (17 mi), by road, southwest of Mbarara, the nearest large city[11] The forest reserve is in a low rainfall zone with annual rainfall at 978 mm and 105 rainy days. However because to its high altitude, evaporation is minimal, which guarantees that soil moisture is available for an extended period of time.[5] Bugamba CFR's current plantation area consists of 13 divisions encompassing approximately 1,210 hectares. There are 960 acres of plantable land while existing fire lines and roadways cover an area of 80.9 acres and 25 kilometers, respectively.[12]
The cypress aphid ravaged cypress trees and hedgerows in Uganda in the 1990s, causing significant damage and crop loss. In the South Western region, the aphid attack severely impacted the softwood plantations including Bugamba forest reserve.[13] Illegal logging has also been an issue in the reserves, resulting in forest cover degradation.[14] A large number of the trees in Bugamba Forest Reserve have already been cut down, with approximately 1,080 hectares of the total area of 1,210 hectares having been cleared. However, replanting efforts have been successful, with approximately 80 hectares of trees remaining in the reserve. In addition to the caribbean pine species, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) has imported new species from Honduras and South Africa.[15][16]
^Katwijukye, A. K., & Doppler, W. (2004). The socio-economic analysis of land use changes and soil conservation in central and western Uganda. Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 9(1), 303-311.
^ abcdNFA. (2007). Forest Management Plan for Bugamba and Rwoho Central Forest Reserves for the period 2006-2026. Kampala: National Forest Authority.
^Purdon, M., & Lokina, R. (2014). Ex-post evaluation of the additionality of Clean Development Mechanism afforestation projects in Tanzania, Uganda and Moldova. London: Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.
^NOACK, D. (1965). Wood Industry in Tropical Areas. The Commonwealth Forestry Review, 21-33.
^Bainomugisha, A., Kisuule, Y. A., Matsiko, G., & Kyankaaga, R. (2014). Local government councils’ performance and public service delivery in Uganda. ACODE public service delivery and accountability Report Series, (32).
^Sabukwikopa, J., & Muyango, S. (1991). Current Status of Cinara cupressi in Burundi, its impact on forest resources and control operations. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization). Exotic aphid pests of conifers: a crisis in african forestry. Kenia, África. FAO.
^Aluma, J. R. (1989). Settlement in forest reserves, game reserves and national parks in Uganda: a study of social, economic, and tenure factors affecting land use and deforestation in Mabira Forest Reserve, Kibale Forest Reserve and Kibale Game Reserve Corridor.
^Auren, R., & Krassowska, K. (2004). Small and medium forestry enterprise in Uganda. Forestry Inspection Division, Kampala and International Institute for Environment and Development: London, UK.
