| Mount Kei Central Forest Reserve | |
| Iucn Category: | VI |
| Iucn Ref: | [1] |
| Map: | Uganda |
| Relief: | 1 |
| Nearest City: | Koboko |
| Coordinates: | 3.6833°N 39°W |
| Area: | 384 sq.km |
| Governing Body: | National Forestry Authority |
Mount Kei Central Forest Reserve is a protected area located in Koboko district, in the extreme north-west of Uganda. It covers an area of 384 square kilometers and is known for its diverse ecosystem consisting of dense savanna vegetation, forest, scrubland and a wide range of wildlife.[2]
Mt Kei Central Forest Reserve was formerly known as Mount Kei Rhino Sanctuary. It is also situated in the Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome. It borders Kaya river and the international border with Sudan in the north, river Kechi in the east. Its co-ordinates, latitude and longitude are N03.59134 and E31.09947, respectively. It receives mean Annual Rainfall of 1250 millimetres and mean Annual Temperature of 23 ∘ C.[3] This reserve has an elevation range of 915–1,330 m and is mainly classified into dry Combretum-Terminalia savanna and Butyrospermum savanna woodland. The National Forestry Authority(NFA) which is in charge of managing, demarcating, re-surveying and maintaining all Central Forest Reserves in Uganda.[4] The population around the reserve is sparse.
The reserve can broadly be classified into dry Combretum-Terminalia savanna and Butyrospermum savanna woodland, scrubland and a wide range of wildlife. It also has 175 bird species, 54 moths species, 21 mammal species,126 butterflies species and 229 tree species.[2]
The region is largely undisturbed by human activities. Mount Kei Forest Reserve is mainly used as a source of firewood, honey, construction poles, medicinal plants and it also acts as a water catchment area. Another activity is the forest hikes which help in exploring the entire reserve.[5]
The persistence war in South Sudan poses a great danger to such areas since its yields to a great number of refugees seeking for a place of relocation. Another threat are the wild fires and agriculture.[6]