Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-03-25 04:47:47
Environmental conservationists part of the Save Bugoma Forest Campaign (SBFC) have expressed their dissatisfaction with the recent report released by the Ministry of Lands regarding the boundaries of Bugoma Forest. The conservationists argue that the report does not provide a clear conclusion on whether Hoima Sugar Limited has encroached on the land of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve. SBFC is a coalition of forest host communities, civil society organizations, and private sector entities with the primary goal of protecting Bugoma forest from threats such as land grabbing, sugarcane cultivation, and oil exploration.
In response to escalating land disputes, the cabinet issued a directive in 2019 for the Ministry of Water and Environment to conduct a boundary opening exercise for Bugoma forest. The objective was to determine whether Hoima Sugar Limited had encroached on the forest land and to address other pending boundary verification issues mandated by the court to ensure the conservation of the forest.
According to the report, Hoima Sugar Limited legally owns over 5,000 hectares of land granted to them by the Bunyoro kingdom. However, the report fails to clarify whether this land is situated within the forest reserve. For 20 individuals claiming customary ownership of land also granted by the kingdom, the report confirms that their land falls within the forest reserve.
The report reveals that Bugoma forest encompasses a total land area of 39,000 hectares, contrary to the previously claimed 41,000 hectares. Dickens Kamugisha, the chairperson of SBFC, criticized the report for relying on illegally obtained certificates of registration, an unlawful Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate, and other documents to validate Hoima Sugar’s land ownership without confirming its location within the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
Kamugisha emphasized the inadequacy of the report in addressing the encroachment issue and stressed the need for a thorough investigation to safeguard Bugoma forest. He urged the government to conduct an independent boundary survey and ensure transparency throughout the process.
The boundary survey was conducted by the Department of Surveys and Mapping under the Ministry of Lands, prompting concerns about impartiality. Twesigye, the executive director of Water and Environment Media Network (WEMNET), announced plans to mobilize communities in the Bunyoro region to petition the president for a new, independent survey to accurately identify encroached areas and hold accountable those responsible.
While engaging with the Ministries of Lands and Water and Environment, Twesigye also highlighted the importance of addressing individuals found to have encroached on forest land, emphasizing that the Bunyoro Kitara kingdom lacks authority to grant land within a central forest reserve.
As the SBFC continues to advocate for the protection of Bugoma forest, they remain steadfast in their commitment to challenging the validity of the report and demanding a comprehensive and unbiased survey to preserve this vital ecosystem.
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