The Forests Act (Chapter 146).

The Act consolidates the law on forests and forest reserves in Uganda, establishing key definitions such as forest produce, forest reserve, open land, village forest, and forest officers. It sets up the institutional framework for forest management, including the appointment of a Chief Conservator of Forests and other officers, and distinguishes between central forest reserves, local forest reserves, village forests, and open land. The Minister is empowered to declare and approve forest areas, while local authorities manage local and village forests subject to oversight from the Chief Conservator. The Act also establishes licensing regimes for cutting, taking, or removing forest produce, regulates fees, and preserves limited rights for personal domestic use, while prohibiting unlicensed exploitation of forests.
The Act further provides for forest protection, including fire precautions, public duties in fire prevention, and obligations to prevent damage to forest resources. It creates offences and penalties for contraventions, including counterfeiting of marks or licences, and grants courts powers to order forfeiture, restitution, compensation, and clearance of unlawfully occupied land. Procedural provisions include presumptions in favor of government ownership, powers of arrest, search, seizure, and detention, and discretionary acceptance of monetary compensation in certain cases. Finally, the Act authorizes the Minister and, where applicable, local authorities to make detailed rules regarding licensing, fees, forest use, fire and pest control, grazing, and other measures necessary for the management and protection of forests.