Gifted by nature, cursed by greed!
Mar 29, 2007
SIR — There is a saying that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. Civil society organisations should be some of the ‘strong tall trees’ providing protection of our natural forests from the so-called investors who are duping the country in broad daylight. I am incensed by the numerous
SIR — There is a saying that the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. Civil society organisations should be some of the ‘strong tall trees’ providing protection of our natural forests from the so-called investors who are duping the country in broad daylight. I am incensed by the numerous empty arguments surrounding the degazetting of Mabira forest.
Some people’s views about this issue make me sick. Logic is being turned upsidedown. Much debate is going on about this important national issue. How can any right-thinking Ugandan think of degazetting a natural forest like Mabira?
Alas! A country like ours never ceases to amaze. People like Tamale Mirundi continue arguing and doing things irrespective of the importance of the national issue at stake just because they have to be on the President’s side! How do you replant a natural forest? Similarly, how can a corporate organisation like Sugar corporation of Uganda limited, (SCOUL) do something which is anti-people?
Indeed SCOUL and the government should be in a position to show us the trade –off for them to justify their position. The likes of Mirundi are trying to emulate cannibals who eat their children in the hope that in future they will produce others! What happens in the event that the planted trees do not do well and the “planned†forest never sees the light of day? This vindicates what Gulu chairman Nobert Mao, once said: Uganda is gifted by nature but cursed by greed.
Butamira forest in Jinja was given away despite the endless calls by civil society and local communities but a few years down the road, we have stopped talking about it. it seems to be a normal way of doing things. Surely, we are not the last people to occupy this country.
that is why most of the people are worried about what will happen to this country. At this rate, by the time we know it, lake Victoria will also be no more! A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. We would rather have Mabira forest which is our bird in the hand than the promise of prosperity through jobs which are two birds in the bush. At least we know the value of Mabira is much greater than that of processed sugar which we can import anyway.
Destroying Mabira is destroying our heritage. Instead of the government supporting the National forestry authority to do its work, we only see cheap politics at play! The Government should be setting the standards of conserving the environment given the global warming campaigns making the rounds throughout the world. I do not know what price people doing this to our country will pay.
The civil society organisations and all the sober citizens of Uganda should stand up and say no to the destruction of Mabira forest. Long live Uganda, ‘short live’ SCOUL.
Bob Natifu
Seeta, Mukono
SIR — It is sad news that Uganda’s annual forest loss is at 2% compared to the loss in the rest of Africa and the world that stands at 0.6% and 18%, respectively. Global warming has been scientifically proven to have adverse effects on the environment.
However, it is surprising that the government of Uganda has ignored all these facts and continued giving away large chunks of land with forests to investors in the name of development!
Some people have argued that population pressure and poverty are among the many factors responsible for this trend of rapid depletion of forests. Therefore,if this is true, it would be wise for the government to address these issues practically.
Surprisingly, according to the National Forest Authority report, some politicians at district level have been protecting illegal loggers! Why should Uganda lead in the destruction of her heritage? One wonders whether the future generations will be able to see the beauty of Uganda that has been dubbed “Gifted by Natureâ€.
Rhoda Kwebiiha
bin_kaw@yahoo.com
Some people’s views about this issue make me sick. Logic is being turned upsidedown. Much debate is going on about this important national issue. How can any right-thinking Ugandan think of degazetting a natural forest like Mabira?
Alas! A country like ours never ceases to amaze. People like Tamale Mirundi continue arguing and doing things irrespective of the importance of the national issue at stake just because they have to be on the President’s side! How do you replant a natural forest? Similarly, how can a corporate organisation like Sugar corporation of Uganda limited, (SCOUL) do something which is anti-people?
Indeed SCOUL and the government should be in a position to show us the trade –off for them to justify their position. The likes of Mirundi are trying to emulate cannibals who eat their children in the hope that in future they will produce others! What happens in the event that the planted trees do not do well and the “planned†forest never sees the light of day? This vindicates what Gulu chairman Nobert Mao, once said: Uganda is gifted by nature but cursed by greed.
Butamira forest in Jinja was given away despite the endless calls by civil society and local communities but a few years down the road, we have stopped talking about it. it seems to be a normal way of doing things. Surely, we are not the last people to occupy this country.
that is why most of the people are worried about what will happen to this country. At this rate, by the time we know it, lake Victoria will also be no more! A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. We would rather have Mabira forest which is our bird in the hand than the promise of prosperity through jobs which are two birds in the bush. At least we know the value of Mabira is much greater than that of processed sugar which we can import anyway.
Destroying Mabira is destroying our heritage. Instead of the government supporting the National forestry authority to do its work, we only see cheap politics at play! The Government should be setting the standards of conserving the environment given the global warming campaigns making the rounds throughout the world. I do not know what price people doing this to our country will pay.
The civil society organisations and all the sober citizens of Uganda should stand up and say no to the destruction of Mabira forest. Long live Uganda, ‘short live’ SCOUL.
Bob Natifu
Seeta, Mukono
SIR — It is sad news that Uganda’s annual forest loss is at 2% compared to the loss in the rest of Africa and the world that stands at 0.6% and 18%, respectively. Global warming has been scientifically proven to have adverse effects on the environment.
However, it is surprising that the government of Uganda has ignored all these facts and continued giving away large chunks of land with forests to investors in the name of development!
Some people have argued that population pressure and poverty are among the many factors responsible for this trend of rapid depletion of forests. Therefore,if this is true, it would be wise for the government to address these issues practically.
Surprisingly, according to the National Forest Authority report, some politicians at district level have been protecting illegal loggers! Why should Uganda lead in the destruction of her heritage? One wonders whether the future generations will be able to see the beauty of Uganda that has been dubbed “Gifted by Natureâ€.
Rhoda Kwebiiha
bin_kaw@yahoo.com