Uganda: MPs Have Final Say On Mabira - NFA
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New Vision (Kampala)
17 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Mary Karugaba
Kampala
The degazattement of Mabira Forest will only be decided by Parliament, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) executive director, Damian Akankwasa, has said.
Akankwasa yesterday assured MPs on the natural resources committee that any decision on giving away the forest would need their approval.
"I can assure you that for now, the forest is safe and intact. Its land use cannot be changed unless Parliament amends the act. Sugarcanes are not trees, therefore, cannot replace a forest," he said.
Last year there was a proposal to allocate part of the forest to the Mehta Group, the owners of the Sugar Corporation of Uganda, for sugarcane plantation.
The plan attracted protests from the civil society and environmentalists, who argued that the forest should be conserved because of its biodiversity.
Several MPs put Akankwasa to task to explain why they had been quiet on the matter. "NFA staff resigned and you took over the office. Will you not be compromised on Mabira giveaway?"
David Ebong (Independent) asked. "We want you to clearly come out and safeguard Mabira?" Kabaramaido Woman MP Florence Ekwau (FDC) added.
Akankwasa explained that NFA had completed an aerial video recording of the forest and it would soon be presented to the Cabinet.
Relevant Links
Last year, the Cabinet requested for a video of the forest for public awareness and for policy makers.
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