The newly appointed Kikuube Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Godwin Angalia Kasigwa, has pledged to crack down on land grabbing and illegal encroachment on wetlands and forest reserves during his tenure.
Speaking shortly after officially assuming office from acting RDC Ernest Kalisa, Angalia said his administration will strictly enforce presidential directives on environmental protection and ensure that government land is safeguarded from encroachers.
“I will not joke with issues of land grabbing,” Angalia asserted. “If you truly own land, you must present legal documentation. I will not tolerate the rich evicting the poor in Kikuube.”
Drawing from Past Experience
Angalia brings a record of strong environmental enforcement, having previously served as RDC for Kibaale, Fort Portal City, and most recently, Terego District. He pointed to his efforts in restoring the Kangombe forest reserve in Kibaale as evidence of his commitment.
“While serving in Kibaale, I initiated the process of restoring Kangombe Forest. Unfortunately, I was transferred to Terego just as the program was beginning to take shape,” Angalia recalled. “In Kikuube, I will apply the same energy to restore Bugoma Forest, one of our most degraded but vital ecosystems.”
Environmental Protection High on the Agenda
Angalia emphasized that all individuals illegally occupying wetlands and forest reserves will be evicted, in line with existing national environmental laws and presidential directives. He noted that these areas are already demarcated by the government, and therefore enforcement will not require fresh surveys.
Bugoma Forest, a tropical rainforest covering over 40,000 hectares, has been under increasing threat from agricultural encroachment, logging, and contested land ownership. Angalia’s declaration offers hope to conservationists and local leaders who have consistently called for tougher enforcement.
Stakeholder Collaboration
Angalia also issued a call to local leaders, civil society, the business community, and residents to work with his office to ensure government programs are monitored, evaluated, and implemented successfully.
“Development cannot happen in an environment of chaos. We need discipline in how we use land, and how we respect the environment. I am here to coordinate government efforts, but I need all stakeholders on board,” he noted.
Angalia replaces Amlan Tumusiime, who resigned earlier this year to contest in the 2026 parliamentary race for Bugahya County in Hoima District. Since his departure, Deputy RDC Ernest Kalisa has been acting in the role. The handover took place on Monday afternoon, marking the start of Angalia’s new chapter in one of Uganda’s most strategic oil-producing districts.
Background: Why Kikuube Matters
Kikuube is one of Uganda’s youngest and fastest-growing districts, rich in natural resources, including part of the Albertine Graben oil reserves. However, the district faces increasing challenges of environmental degradation, unplanned settlements, and rising cases of land conflict fueled by speculation and large-scale land acquisitions.
The Bugoma Forest, located within Kikuube, is central to the region’s biodiversity and water regulation systems. It has been at the center of legal and political battles, pitting conservationists against developers. Angalia’s arrival is seen by many as a test of whether the government will walk its talk on environmental justice.
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