Parliament to intervene in saving Mabira

Parliament has pledged full support for an intervention to save Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR) from the endless felling of trees which has led to its depletion. 

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, who was shocked by the extent of destruction in and around Mabira forest, said he is going to send the Parliamentary committee on natural resources and climate change to assess the magnitude of the destruction and report to the House.

“I am going to send the committee on a special visit around Mabira and the factories we are having around so that we come up with clear resolutions on whoever is polluting the environment,” he said.

Polluters should pay

Tayebwa noted that whoever is participating in committing environmental crimes at Mabira CFR and environmental pollution will be made to pay as a way of creating development with sustainability.

“If any investment in form of industries is polluting, they have to pay as a mitigation measure. We can't stop development, but we need sustainable development whereby investors have to pay," he said.

Tayebwa made the remarks during a planting tree session at St Joseph Seminary Nyenga in Buikwe district. The session was in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kampala Central.

Mabira CFR is on the Jinja-Kampala highway in Buikwe district where the Deputy Speaker was celebrating his 42nd birthday.

Industries accused of flouting protocols

Teyebwa's remarks were in reaction to complaints from MPs Jimmy Lwanga, who said some industries were flouting environmental protocols with impunity and Diana Mutasingwa, who is also a state minister in the office of the Vice-President, said despite the various engagements with the National Forestry Authority (NFA) they have failed to get an answer.

“We have various forests in Buikwe district which have been depleted, we have tried to engage NFA to come and help, but have failed,” she said.

Lwanga, who sits on the natural resources committee of Parliament, said factories had been set up in residential areas and that they were polluting the environment with wanton abuse.

“NEMA needs to regulate these industries while NFA has to also step in for the forests because life matters too. By expressing our concerns over the rate at which forests are depleted and environmental pollution is growing, we are not fighting investors, but only mindful of our lives,” he said.

Preserving the environment is preserving human life

However, Tayebwa emphasized that preserving the environment was equal to preserving human life, adding that trees and forests play an essential role in mitigating the impact of climate change.

“As deforestation continues, we must put back what we’re taking away, by planting more trees. This will contribute to reforestation efforts, repairing damaged ecosystems and mitigating climate change.

“Planting trees is one of the most important things we can do to contribute to the health of the planet. Forests are the lungs of our planet, drawing in carbon dioxide and breathing out oxygen and we are the world’s buffer,” he said.

He cautioned for the reduction of eucalyptus trees, and pine trees and called for the planting of our indigenous trees which will be harvested in 100 years.