Investor, government in row over Bukaleba forest
Apr 05, 2011
UGANDA might not only lose part of Bukaleba forest reserve but the tax-payers may have to part with over sh1b as compensation to the concessionaire company that was granted a 49-year licence to establish a tree plantation in the reserve.
By Gerald Tenywa
UGANDA might not only lose part of Bukaleba forest reserve but the tax-payers may have to part with over sh1b as compensation to the concessionaire company that was granted a 49-year licence to establish a tree plantation in the reserve.
Busoga Forest Company, a subsidiary of Norwegian company Green Resources, has served a notice of intention to sue the Attorney General together with the National Forestry Authority (NFA), Mayuge District Local Government, as well as the district environment officer, for allegedly failing to advise the Government correctly.
While campaigning in Malongo sub-county in October last year, President Yoweri Museveni reportedly promised to resettle landless people on 500 hectares to be carved out of the 8,000-hectare Bukaleba Forest Reserve.
He also promised to resettle people in 48 villages on land to be carved out of South Busoga Forest Reserve.
Taking advantage of the President’s promise and the campaign period, unknown people descended upon the reserve, destroying 100 hectares of pine and eucalyptus trees.
And so last week, environment minister Maria Mutagamba intervened and advised on the procedures to follow if the area is to be degazetted for resettlement.
“The process of degazetting part of Bukaleba should be initiated by presentation of a district resolution,†Mutagamba told a consultative meeting in Mayuge.
“When we get such a request, we will pass it over to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for environmental studies and then write a Cabinet White Paper for parliamentary approval,†she added.
However, Isaac Kapalaga, the Green Resources manager, has vowed not to take the issue lying down. He has not only instructed their lawyers to pursue those who mowed down the forest, but also take on the Government.
“I want these people to know that it is expensive to destroy trees,†Kapalaga vowed.
Moses Watasa, the NFA public relations manager, said as a landlord, NFA was expected to keep encroachers at bay.
Parliament to approve take over
In her address to the “consultative meetingâ€, Mutagamba informed the local residents and leaders that while parts of Bukaleba and the nearby South Busoga Forest Reserve will be degazetted, the due process of the law must be followed.
She pointed out that the district must first pass a resolution asking for the land to trigger the process of an environmental impact assessment by NEMA.
Mutagamba also said Mayuge district has to get land elsewhere to replace the part being asked for and that Parliament will consider all this before making the approval.
Mayuge does not have land to exchange for forest
Fred Wajokeraina, the acting LC5 chairperson for Mayuge, said the district does not have land for compensation.
“If you see people going to the forest to settle there, it means there is no other land,†he said.
Mutagamba pointed out the need for careful planning since each household is likely to get less than an acre of land. But the representatives of the local people from the fringes of Bukaleba said the forest should be degazetted.
“Why wait? We want the land now,†one of the local people shouted.
What it means if Bukaleba and South Busoga turn into settlements
Mayuge has lost its entire forest cover and is one of the only districts in Uganda without forests, according to the State of Environment report 2008-2009. This has gone with unique species such as the white and black colobus monkeys that would be important for tourism.
The hope of planting trees to replace the ravaged forests is also disappearing. This means that a large part of the forest that used to shelter the catchment area of Mayuge will remain bare, causing soil erosion and silting of Lake Victoria.
Other conservation experts in biological diversity agree with NFA executive director Hudson Andrua, saying the two forests shelter the richest breeding grounds of fish.
“The destruction of forests and wetlands which are breeding grounds of fish affect the economy and the well being of people,†said Francis Ogwal, the NEMA biodiversity specialist.
Other species such as crocodiles and buffaloes in the less known Mayuge peninsula that would have been harnessed as tourism attractions are also being decimated.
Poverty and commercialisation
Prof. Mukhadasi Buyinza, who heads the NFA board of trustees, blames poverty, saying there are many landless people seeking a livelihood.
Another issue is plantation agriculture since many people are giving up their land to sugarcane growing. In addition to this, dealers in grain produce are buying off chunks of land, pushing poor people closer to the borders of the forest, according to Buyinza.
Recommendations
Mayuge should borrow a leaf from Bushenyi which is over populated but its residents are still keeping protected areas such as Kalinzu, Kashoya-Kitomi.
Instead of looking at forests as possible areas for expanding settlements, the natural resources managers should engage in multi-pronged approaches to engage communities in enterprises that address conservation and prosperity. For instance, the establishment of crocodile sanctuaries could help provide better livelihoods and employment for local people. How many people can this venture absorb? Probably very few, but sustainable fishing and bee-keeping could secure livelihoods for thousands.
Also hotels in Jinja, which is turning into a city, can be engaged to provide better prices for the local farmers. How about producing organic sugar, which fetches better prices?
For a company that has come out to provide social services that would be a dream in this part of the world, it should be Mayuge’s priority to give it protection against destruction.
Kapalaga’s search for justice by suing Mayuge district should be an eye opener not only to respect private property, but also to protect nature. If not well kept, nature will hit back in reduced fish catches, drought and reduced potential for tourism.
UGANDA might not only lose part of Bukaleba forest reserve but the tax-payers may have to part with over sh1b as compensation to the concessionaire company that was granted a 49-year licence to establish a tree plantation in the reserve.
Busoga Forest Company, a subsidiary of Norwegian company Green Resources, has served a notice of intention to sue the Attorney General together with the National Forestry Authority (NFA), Mayuge District Local Government, as well as the district environment officer, for allegedly failing to advise the Government correctly.
While campaigning in Malongo sub-county in October last year, President Yoweri Museveni reportedly promised to resettle landless people on 500 hectares to be carved out of the 8,000-hectare Bukaleba Forest Reserve.
He also promised to resettle people in 48 villages on land to be carved out of South Busoga Forest Reserve.
Taking advantage of the President’s promise and the campaign period, unknown people descended upon the reserve, destroying 100 hectares of pine and eucalyptus trees.
And so last week, environment minister Maria Mutagamba intervened and advised on the procedures to follow if the area is to be degazetted for resettlement.
“The process of degazetting part of Bukaleba should be initiated by presentation of a district resolution,†Mutagamba told a consultative meeting in Mayuge.
“When we get such a request, we will pass it over to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for environmental studies and then write a Cabinet White Paper for parliamentary approval,†she added.
However, Isaac Kapalaga, the Green Resources manager, has vowed not to take the issue lying down. He has not only instructed their lawyers to pursue those who mowed down the forest, but also take on the Government.
“I want these people to know that it is expensive to destroy trees,†Kapalaga vowed.
Moses Watasa, the NFA public relations manager, said as a landlord, NFA was expected to keep encroachers at bay.
Parliament to approve take over
In her address to the “consultative meetingâ€, Mutagamba informed the local residents and leaders that while parts of Bukaleba and the nearby South Busoga Forest Reserve will be degazetted, the due process of the law must be followed.
She pointed out that the district must first pass a resolution asking for the land to trigger the process of an environmental impact assessment by NEMA.
Mutagamba also said Mayuge district has to get land elsewhere to replace the part being asked for and that Parliament will consider all this before making the approval.
Mayuge does not have land to exchange for forest
Fred Wajokeraina, the acting LC5 chairperson for Mayuge, said the district does not have land for compensation.
“If you see people going to the forest to settle there, it means there is no other land,†he said.
Mutagamba pointed out the need for careful planning since each household is likely to get less than an acre of land. But the representatives of the local people from the fringes of Bukaleba said the forest should be degazetted.
“Why wait? We want the land now,†one of the local people shouted.
What it means if Bukaleba and South Busoga turn into settlements
Mayuge has lost its entire forest cover and is one of the only districts in Uganda without forests, according to the State of Environment report 2008-2009. This has gone with unique species such as the white and black colobus monkeys that would be important for tourism.
The hope of planting trees to replace the ravaged forests is also disappearing. This means that a large part of the forest that used to shelter the catchment area of Mayuge will remain bare, causing soil erosion and silting of Lake Victoria.
Other conservation experts in biological diversity agree with NFA executive director Hudson Andrua, saying the two forests shelter the richest breeding grounds of fish.
“The destruction of forests and wetlands which are breeding grounds of fish affect the economy and the well being of people,†said Francis Ogwal, the NEMA biodiversity specialist.
Other species such as crocodiles and buffaloes in the less known Mayuge peninsula that would have been harnessed as tourism attractions are also being decimated.
Poverty and commercialisation
Prof. Mukhadasi Buyinza, who heads the NFA board of trustees, blames poverty, saying there are many landless people seeking a livelihood.
Another issue is plantation agriculture since many people are giving up their land to sugarcane growing. In addition to this, dealers in grain produce are buying off chunks of land, pushing poor people closer to the borders of the forest, according to Buyinza.
Recommendations
Mayuge should borrow a leaf from Bushenyi which is over populated but its residents are still keeping protected areas such as Kalinzu, Kashoya-Kitomi.
Instead of looking at forests as possible areas for expanding settlements, the natural resources managers should engage in multi-pronged approaches to engage communities in enterprises that address conservation and prosperity. For instance, the establishment of crocodile sanctuaries could help provide better livelihoods and employment for local people. How many people can this venture absorb? Probably very few, but sustainable fishing and bee-keeping could secure livelihoods for thousands.
Also hotels in Jinja, which is turning into a city, can be engaged to provide better prices for the local farmers. How about producing organic sugar, which fetches better prices?
For a company that has come out to provide social services that would be a dream in this part of the world, it should be Mayuge’s priority to give it protection against destruction.
Kapalaga’s search for justice by suing Mayuge district should be an eye opener not only to respect private property, but also to protect nature. If not well kept, nature will hit back in reduced fish catches, drought and reduced potential for tourism.