Busoga appeals to Museveni on forest

Busoga kingdom, the Butamira environment pressure group and wood farmers have asked President Yoweri Museveni to stop Butamira forest reserve in Jinja district from being degazetted, reports Gerald Tenywa. In a three-page memorandum dated June 8, the petition said Butamira should remain protected from destruction. Kakira Sugar Works under the Madhvani Group of Companies wants to take over Butamira forest reserve for sugarcane growing. The petition asked Museveni to stop forcing the forest department to give away the forest to Kakira. Madhvani's 49-year lease to plant trees in the forest expired about three years ago. They acquired another permit from the forest department authorising them to grow sugarcane. When Kakira cleared part of the 1,257 hectares and planted it with sugarcane in May last year, the 16 villages around the forest occupied it and the forest department permitted them to replant the area. The parliamentary committee on forestry intervened to settle the conflict and ordered Madhvani to vacate the forest until land for exchange with Butamira is obtained. Museveni last Friday sent Mrs. Maria Mutagamba, the minister of state for lands, water and environment, to advise the residents to negotiate with Madhvani for compensation. But Sirajje Waiswa, the residents' representative, said, "We told the minister we will neither negotiate with Madhvani nor leave the forest.'' He said the land being proposed for exchange was in Mubende district. Waiswa said the destruction of the forest had led to silting of water sources in the area. He said if Madhvani takes over the forest, the outgrowers would not have any market for their sugarcane. Over 1,300 farmers supply sugarcane to Kakira.