Lwanga calls for dialogue on Mabira
Apr 23, 2007
THE Kampala archbishop, the Rt. Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, has urged the Government to engage in dialogue with the people to resolve the Mabira Forest dispute.
By Paul Kiwuuwa
THE Kampala archbishop, the Rt. Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, has urged the Government to engage in dialogue with the people to resolve the Mabira Forest dispute.
The Archbishop asked the Government to listen to the concerns expressed by the public about environmental conservation.
“Whipping people will not solve the Mabira crisis. Dialogue is the most effective way to solve the country’s problems,†said Lwanga during a sermon at the memorial Mass for Cardinal Kiwanuka Nsubuga at Nalukolongo bakatey-emba’s home on Sunday.
Nsubaga, who was replaced by Emmanuel Wamala, died in 1991 and was buried at Nalukolongo.
About 30 people including MPs Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum Woman) and Hussein Kyanjo (Makindye West) were arrested and charged over the demonstration they staged against the planned give-away of 7,100 hectares of Mabira to Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd.
Another two MPs, Erias Lukwago (Kampala Central) and Odonga Otto (Aruu) were charged on Friday over an aborted demonstration in the city centre.
The Minister of State for Finance, Fred Omach, told LThe New Vision: “Mabira Forest covers about 29,000 hectares. The public has got the wrong impression that the Government was proposing to give away the 29,000 hectares to Mehta Group for sugarcane growing. Government proposed only 7,100 hectares for sugar cane growing.â€
Omach urged the public to consider the benefits and demerits of the proposed project.
THE Kampala archbishop, the Rt. Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, has urged the Government to engage in dialogue with the people to resolve the Mabira Forest dispute.
The Archbishop asked the Government to listen to the concerns expressed by the public about environmental conservation.
“Whipping people will not solve the Mabira crisis. Dialogue is the most effective way to solve the country’s problems,†said Lwanga during a sermon at the memorial Mass for Cardinal Kiwanuka Nsubuga at Nalukolongo bakatey-emba’s home on Sunday.
Nsubaga, who was replaced by Emmanuel Wamala, died in 1991 and was buried at Nalukolongo.
About 30 people including MPs Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum Woman) and Hussein Kyanjo (Makindye West) were arrested and charged over the demonstration they staged against the planned give-away of 7,100 hectares of Mabira to Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd.
Another two MPs, Erias Lukwago (Kampala Central) and Odonga Otto (Aruu) were charged on Friday over an aborted demonstration in the city centre.
The Minister of State for Finance, Fred Omach, told LThe New Vision: “Mabira Forest covers about 29,000 hectares. The public has got the wrong impression that the Government was proposing to give away the 29,000 hectares to Mehta Group for sugarcane growing. Government proposed only 7,100 hectares for sugar cane growing.â€
Omach urged the public to consider the benefits and demerits of the proposed project.