Good leaders listen to public opinion
Apr 04, 2007
SIR — I wish to contribute to the ongoing debate on Mabira Forest. Given our ecological deterioration which is reflected by the falling water levels of our water bodies, besides other indicators, the very thought of degazzeting even an inch of any forest in Uganda should not have been entertaine
SIR — I wish to contribute to the ongoing debate on Mabira Forest. Given our ecological deterioration which is reflected by the falling water levels of our water bodies, besides other indicators, the very thought of degazzeting even an inch of any forest in Uganda should not have been entertained at all!
I am perturbed that in spite of thousands of pleas from the public, civic organisations and NGOs, the Government appears to be proceeding unabated with the plans of degazetting 7,100 hectares of Mabira Forest out of the 32,000 hectares.
When people boldly speak out on a given subject, any good leadership ought to pause and listen. Development is not for its own sake but for people. it is we the people who are saying that the lease of part of Mabira Forest is bad not only for us but for future generations as well.
It is actually catastrophic, to say the least. I have an unanswered question in my mind. I was part of a delegation from the Bunyoro Region to President Museveni’s Rwakitura home sometime back. while we were there we discussed a number of issues among which was that of land in Bunyoro.
my personal submission was that we ask Government to degazette the fertile parts of Murchison National Park and have the young landless people acquire land to lease the land pressure in Bunyoro and the President simply said: “that is not a good policy.â€
my unanswered question is, what good policy is there to degazette a forest reserve for sugarcane growing and yet it is not good to do so for people? This is a direct indicator of what the Government is valuing: money over people! Secondly, we have been told that when you cut a tree you should plant two; what has come of that message?
What are the people who are bent on cutting down our forests going to make out of this Mabira Forest lease? If we degazette part of Mabira Forest Reserve for sugarcane growing then we should as well degazette the fertile parts of Murchison National Park for the people of Bunyoro to settle on and increase production if that is the argument, particularly the Bunyoro side of Murchison. Our children will not thank us if this mistake is made.
The Rt. Rev. Nathan Kyamanywa
Bishop of Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese
SIR — I have read Maria Mutagamba’s cabinet paper on Mabira Forest and wish to note the following:
According to the minister, international conventions require that before we talk of degazetting Mabira, an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study must be done. She has not indicated anywhere in the report that this has been done. What if the EIA finds otherwise?
Before 7,100 hectares can be degazetted, equal land must be identified to be gazetted in return. None has been identified.
She says the areas targeted do not contain useful timber species. Mabira is not about timber alone.
What if it is a habitat for rare butterfly or bird species?
That SCOUL has failed to raise enough sugarcane from outgrowers.
How come Kinyara and Kakira raise more than half their cane from outgrowers? Is the problem SCOUL or the outgrowers?
That SCOUL will produce bio-fuel.That is wishful thinking.
Nsekabuseka Muruhanga Masindi
I am perturbed that in spite of thousands of pleas from the public, civic organisations and NGOs, the Government appears to be proceeding unabated with the plans of degazetting 7,100 hectares of Mabira Forest out of the 32,000 hectares.
When people boldly speak out on a given subject, any good leadership ought to pause and listen. Development is not for its own sake but for people. it is we the people who are saying that the lease of part of Mabira Forest is bad not only for us but for future generations as well.
It is actually catastrophic, to say the least. I have an unanswered question in my mind. I was part of a delegation from the Bunyoro Region to President Museveni’s Rwakitura home sometime back. while we were there we discussed a number of issues among which was that of land in Bunyoro.
my personal submission was that we ask Government to degazette the fertile parts of Murchison National Park and have the young landless people acquire land to lease the land pressure in Bunyoro and the President simply said: “that is not a good policy.â€
my unanswered question is, what good policy is there to degazette a forest reserve for sugarcane growing and yet it is not good to do so for people? This is a direct indicator of what the Government is valuing: money over people! Secondly, we have been told that when you cut a tree you should plant two; what has come of that message?
What are the people who are bent on cutting down our forests going to make out of this Mabira Forest lease? If we degazette part of Mabira Forest Reserve for sugarcane growing then we should as well degazette the fertile parts of Murchison National Park for the people of Bunyoro to settle on and increase production if that is the argument, particularly the Bunyoro side of Murchison. Our children will not thank us if this mistake is made.
The Rt. Rev. Nathan Kyamanywa
Bishop of Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese
SIR — I have read Maria Mutagamba’s cabinet paper on Mabira Forest and wish to note the following:
According to the minister, international conventions require that before we talk of degazetting Mabira, an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study must be done. She has not indicated anywhere in the report that this has been done. What if the EIA finds otherwise?
Before 7,100 hectares can be degazetted, equal land must be identified to be gazetted in return. None has been identified.
She says the areas targeted do not contain useful timber species. Mabira is not about timber alone.
What if it is a habitat for rare butterfly or bird species?
That SCOUL has failed to raise enough sugarcane from outgrowers.
How come Kinyara and Kakira raise more than half their cane from outgrowers? Is the problem SCOUL or the outgrowers?
That SCOUL will produce bio-fuel.That is wishful thinking.
Nsekabuseka Muruhanga Masindi