Government gives away Bugama Forest for Sugarcane growing.

By; Ben Musanje

25^th Aug 2020

Climate actors in the country have raised their voices challenging the giveaway of Bugoma Forest Reserve to Hoima Sugar factory for sugarcane growing.

Actors including Climate Action Network (CAN), Oxfam, Earth Environment Alliance and DCA Alliance are castigating National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for illegally allowing for the destruction of the 21.4Square mile of Bugoma forest which is a true identity of Uganda’s environment.

This is after NEMA approved a proposal by Hoima Sugar Ltd to take 9 square miles out of the 21.4 square miles of the forest land for sugarcane growing claiming that the given land is grassland with no forest cover.

Addressing a joint press conference at the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative in Uganda (FHRIU) headquarters in Nsambya, Climate Ambition Ambassador- Uganda John Mary Odoy says they demand that government and NEMA in particular cancels out the certificate, retract its impact assessment and allow the land revert to the natural forest.

However, Proscovia Nanyonjo from the Buganda Kingdom’s Ministry of Environment threatens to mobilize youths, women and climate change actors to storm NEMA offices demanding for the cancelation of the certificate once it is not done in few days from now.