The campaign to save Bugoma has gained momentum after Vision Group ran a series of articles highlighting the dangers of clearing Bugoma Forest for sugarcane growing.

The latest to join the campaign is the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC), which has condemned any activities towards the destruction of Bugoma forest and described such acts as evil and greedy.

Samuel Kahuma, the bishop of Bunyoro Kitara diocese, said people who want to destroy Bugoma think they are the first on earth and the last.

Quoting Genesis 2:15, Kahuma said: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it, but not to destroy it.”

He said the Church condemns all acts of destroying Bugoma Forest, including other forests and wetlands because it is against the will of God.

UJCC comprises Catholics, Anglicans and Orthodox Christians who have collectively denounced any plans to turn part of Bugoma Forest into a sugarcane plantation.

Kahuma said the increasing rate of destruction of forests and other habitats for wild animals has led to increased human-wildlife conflict, where chimpanzees are snatching children from their mothers in broad daylight.

He said as religious leaders, they would have sinned if they did not come out to condemn the destruction of Bugoma Forest because sinning is either by commission or omission.

“It would be bad if we, the religious leaders, kept quiet as forests are being destroyed because that would tantamount to sinning by omission,” Kahuma said.

The Rev. Fr Constantine Mbonabingi, the executive secretary of UJCC, said the save Mabira campaign led to street demonstrations and death of people, which was a bad experience that they do not want to see happen again.

Mbonabingi said clearing a natural forest for sugarcane growing is unfortunate and must be stopped.

“We have seen terrible impacts arising out of cutting trees in Bududa, along Lake Victoria, in Kabale, Kasese and many other areas, including Bunyoro,” Mbonabingi said.

He said the impacts have led to destruction of gardens and property, displacement of people, destruction of livelihood sources and death.

Mbonabingi said destruction of forests has led to an increased number of orphans, school drop-outs and early marriages.

He added that cutting down Bugoma forest will worsen things.

He added that UJCC condemns any acts that are failing the efforts to address the challenges.

“Deploying the military and Police in the forest should be stopped.

“Let the people continue to live in harmony with forests. We condemn the insensitive acts of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for approving the environment and social impact assessment report that allowed the cutting of part of Bugoma,” Mbonabingi said.

He said as religious leaders, they are not happy with the deployment of security forces threatening, harassing and preventing the community from accessing the forest and the acts of cutting down the trees.

Mbonabingi said leaders should not just look on when Bugoma is being destroyed.

Fr Emmanuel Ssekyewa, who represented the Orthodox Metropolitan, said it is heartbreaking to hear that the government authorised the cutting down of a natural forest for sugarcane growing, given the adverse climatic conditions that the country is experiencing.

“There is no way a person can allow the cutting down of a natural forest with the prevailing adverse weather conditions in the country. It is being selfish and greedy,” Ssekyewa said.

The UJCC team visited part of Bugoma forest and planted trees at Kaseeta Catholic Church, which is adjacent to Bugoma central forest reserve, as a sign of promoting the protection of the environment.

The forest reserve has been cut off the Budongo forest range, with reserve patches of Bujawe and Wambabya forests being the only corridors remaining.

It is important for climatic rainfall experienced in the area and is seen as the remaining hope to absorb poisonous gasses that will emanate from the oil refinery, which is adjacent to Bugoma forest.