The National Forest Authority (NFA) has issued a strong directive for forest encroachers in Soroti City to vacate the land voluntarily by March 2025.

This move aims to reclaim eight forest blocks within the Soroti Central Forest Reserve, marking a significant step in the NFA's efforts to restore and preserve vital natural resources in the region.

As part of their initiative, the NFA plans to commence tree planting and restoration activities, emphasizing the importance of compliance from encroachers to ensure the success of these efforts.

The National Forestry Authority (NFA) is gearing up for a tree restoration and planting initiative in the Soroti Central Forest Reserves, set to commence in March 2025.

Recently, NFA conducted a special patrol across three forest blocks within the reserves and is currently carrying out routine patrols in the Teso region.

This initiative aims to restore degraded forest areas and safeguard natural resources, contributing to the greening of Soroti City. Additionally, NFA officials are assessing the condition of boundary pillars previously installed to demarcate the forest land.

Joseph Otim, NFA Centre Manager in charge Teso Sector has asked the encroachers on the Forest land to leave voluntarily.

Otim noted that next Phase they are going to evict all the encroachers adding that NFA has received funds from Government for restoring the forests.

Otim noted that encroachers with illegal land titles should also hand over to them.

Nazipher Abigaba, Area Forest Supervisor NFA noted that over 200 hectares of NFA land in Soroti city has been encroached by squatters.

She urged the encroachers to vacate the land before March 2025.

Joshua Edogu, the Mayor Soroti City notes that he is aware that NFA is currently on the ground patrolling the Forest reserves in Soroti City.

The mayor highlighted that nobody among the squatters on NFA land has been paying Property tax and ground rent to the city.

Julius Asiya, one of the affected in Soroti city has urged NFA to schedule a meeting with the affected people.

Asiya added that NFA should relocate them because the inherited the land from their grandparents.