Luggo Cultural Forest
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]- Forestry in Uganda
- Kalangala District
- Bugala Thermal Power Station
- Lutoboka Central Forest Reserve
- Buganda Kingdom
- Katikkiro of Buganda
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.