Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-02-07 04:51:45
Environment activists are calling on the government to release the boundary opening report for Bugoma central forest reserve in Hoima and Kikuube districts. The delay in releasing the report has prompted concerns about continued encroachment and degradation of the forest.
The cabinet issued a directive in 2019 to the Ministry of Water and Environment to open the boundaries of Bugoma forest. This was seen as a way to resolve the land disputes surrounding the forest. The boundary opening process aimed to determine whether the land leased to Hoima Sugar Limited by Bunyoro kingdom in 2016 is located within or outside the forest reserve. Additionally, it was intended to protect Bugoma from illegal and future encroachment by communities and private individuals.
Although the Ministry of Lands completed the survey process of opening the forest boundaries in August 2022, the report has not been released more than a year later. Environmental activists argue that this delay has led to continued encroachment and degradation of Bugoma forest.
Anthony Wolimbwa, the national coordinator for Climate Action Network, emphasized the importance of the report in addressing land conflict and resource ownership in Bugoma forest. The report will also help in determining the exact boundaries of the forest. Without this information, the current encroachment and degradation are likely to continue.
Christine Nakimwero Kaaya, the woman member of parliament for Kiboga district and a conservationist, expressed the urgency of obtaining the report, especially in light of the oil activities in Bunyoro sub-region. The forest reserves in the area are expected to absorb emissions from these activities, making the report essential for negotiations and bargaining in carbon trade.
Kaaya further highlighted the influence of illegal encroachers who are attempting to change Bugoma and Budongo forest reserves into national parks to formalize their stay. She also pointed out the potential negative impact of investors focusing more on tourism infrastructure construction than environmental conservation.
She revealed that concerns about the delayed report were raised during the last budgetary allocation process, and members of parliament proposed freezing the National Forestry Authority (NFA) out of the national budget. Although this did not happen, she indicated that the release of the report would continue to be a priority in the upcoming budget allocation process.
Juliet Mubi, the spokesperson of NFA, clarified that the ministry of Lands was responsible for releasing the report. Despite assurances from the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development that the report was completed and submitted to the Ministry of Water and Environment, the report is yet to be released.
Overall, the release of the boundary opening report for Bugoma forest is crucial for determining the exact boundaries of the forest, addressing land conflicts, and conserving the environment. The continued delay in releasing the report is a cause for concern among environmental activists and conservationists.
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