tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74114786831909488162024-03-05T12:43:58.365-08:00Association for the Conservation of Bugoma ForestThis is the official blog of the Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest.costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-62943160227036789612021-06-09T13:40:00.001-07:002021-06-09T13:40:29.596-07:00ECO-TOURISM ACTIVITIES IN BUGOMA FOREST 2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaAq25CNNBU46uKC_cX5ivUS81d3srKWJHJkEY7JFcMH_KD_3lSViXVN880hI_xWCwdToJD-vIoxYo76B5cnjTA4upMJmYXDYbU5IsyWp-Oq2VBhnEzgWKTaKvu1e8IpeTcidfiMFT9HP/s880/Ecotourism+flyer+2021+page+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaAq25CNNBU46uKC_cX5ivUS81d3srKWJHJkEY7JFcMH_KD_3lSViXVN880hI_xWCwdToJD-vIoxYo76B5cnjTA4upMJmYXDYbU5IsyWp-Oq2VBhnEzgWKTaKvu1e8IpeTcidfiMFT9HP/w494-h640/Ecotourism+flyer+2021+page+1.jpg" width="494" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhSax5Ud4gWJhYzMLnOEDTCE-ezFrTCQngxxGIAGxwGbtN0S42WZUOp-uOdOBIpxFT3_im1NBhog5PFGE1GrjcrZZpp_SbomxZOwsSyzShHHgNtHRYk55LwZZ0OEUR9Vt2tyYlmLeNhqp/s880/Ecotourism+flyer+2021+page+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhSax5Ud4gWJhYzMLnOEDTCE-ezFrTCQngxxGIAGxwGbtN0S42WZUOp-uOdOBIpxFT3_im1NBhog5PFGE1GrjcrZZpp_SbomxZOwsSyzShHHgNtHRYk55LwZZ0OEUR9Vt2tyYlmLeNhqp/w494-h640/Ecotourism+flyer+2021+page+2.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uE9GRJJ8eacvgICo-9iO19UgQMySR26QmNGTz1yq2AvGsjW9-QNB0j1xdSa_UEJYzrTtHvE77i6d8tEz6v3kGUlVEzyKY3bKG4YJQWmCa8vvYJ7TNhYZooZ2ct3rDtY_-hBd6PW3qdNg/s880/Ecotourism+flyer+2021+page+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uE9GRJJ8eacvgICo-9iO19UgQMySR26QmNGTz1yq2AvGsjW9-QNB0j1xdSa_UEJYzrTtHvE77i6d8tEz6v3kGUlVEzyKY3bKG4YJQWmCa8vvYJ7TNhYZooZ2ct3rDtY_-hBd6PW3qdNg/w494-h640/Ecotourism+flyer+2021+page+3.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br />costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-90942540102558999952021-05-12T07:39:00.008-07:002021-06-09T13:36:26.033-07:00RULING ON NEMA AND HOIMA SUGAR CASES: ANOTHER LOST OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE BUGOMA FOREST<p> Kampala, 11th May 2021</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">On May 7<sup>TH</sup>
2021 the High Court of Uganda before Hon. Justice Ssekaana Musa issued the
ruling in the matter of Cause number 239 and Cause number 255 of 2020 by
WEMNET, NAPE and AFIEGO versus National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA)
and Hoima Sugar Limited. The application was seeking Court intervention over
procedural illegality and irregularity committed by NEMA in the process of
issuing the ESIA and certificate of approval to Hoima Sugar. Unfortunately the
Court dismissed the application stating that it was based on “unsubstantiated
allegations to win public sympathy” and trying to mislead the court.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsGEdTUmIULg-gHNiCICDHQmqp0d3IziKKpgaSl_6BCf19Xd90wGAOhkW5jHIf3Pkw5ZVR3bhB7vzxxMBEmoonpOw2wZ7LxB8d0KjShwmpbfbTQNLzQaVu7jzr6BI_Oo7dXxxERoSb9FZ/s1080/IMG-20210417-WA0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsGEdTUmIULg-gHNiCICDHQmqp0d3IziKKpgaSl_6BCf19Xd90wGAOhkW5jHIf3Pkw5ZVR3bhB7vzxxMBEmoonpOw2wZ7LxB8d0KjShwmpbfbTQNLzQaVu7jzr6BI_Oo7dXxxERoSb9FZ/w300-h400/IMG-20210417-WA0019.jpg" title="Recent images of illegal logging in Bugoma Forest, April 2021" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><br />More in details, the
Court while analyzing weather NEMA committed irregularities in the application
of the Regulations governing Environmental Impact Assessments, states that the relevant
stakeholders were consulted by NEMA and their opinions were taken into
consideration. The stakeholders include National Forestry Authority, Uganda
Wildlife Authority, 81 residents in the area of Bugoma forest (Nsozi) and even
the civil society organizations themselves. Further, the Court specifies that
there was no need for a public hearing in that process, because there was no
controversy and no transboundary impact on the project activities. In the end,
it is the view of Court that the Executive Director of NEMA had the authority
to approve the ESIA to Hoima Sugar and, while exercising his legitimate power,
he approved it, with or without taking into consideration other stakeholders
opinions.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">In his
criticism of what he calls “unsubstantiated allegations” by the applicants
civil society organizations, Hon. Justice Ssekaana Musa brings out <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>clearly what he considers the “facts” that
form his judgment and which, by coincidence, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are copied from the statements by NEMA. First
of all, that there is no controversy over the land ownership by Hoima Sugar as
this matter was resolved by the Court of Masindi in 2019; the Judge considers
to be a “weak argument” that the matter is still in Court for appeal. For the
Court it is not a problem that Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and Hoima
Sugar have occupied part of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve as it is clearly shown
in the official maps of the gazetted reserve and that they have done so
acquiring titles of dubious origin. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Secondly, that “the land
hardly has any mature trees” and it only has shrubs vegetation; however it is
well documented the fact that the “land” occupied by Hoima Sugar is not just a
“land”, but a tropical forest of international relevance. This information can
be easily verified by use of satellite images, by a site visit or simply by consulting
National Forestry Authority that is the custodian of the forest reserve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Thirdly, that it is not
true that 21 square miles of forest is being cleared, but only part of it
(2,400 hectares). How can the court be sure of this statement? In fact from the
satellite images of the destruction done by Hoima Sugar we have the proof that
the deforestation is wider than what the ESIA certificate was allowing. Court
look at the destruction of 2,400 hectares of Bugoma Forest as a normal business
without any implication.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">While the Judge believes
that there was a formal respect of the consultation process by Nema, he does
not comment on the merit of its substance, as to say what all the stakeholders
were actually saying and if it is true that the proposed sugar cane project was
not controversial and that the ESIA could be easily be granted and not halted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">This is the biggest gap and shortcoming in the
ruling: the judge does not mention the opinions of the stakeholders, but at the
same time he considers legitimate and proper the procedure of acquiring the
ESIA. The Court acquired in record the opinions of the stakeholders, which
portray a completely different story. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">This is the opinion written by National Forestry Authority
in a letter to NEMA dated 20<sup>th</sup> July 2020: that “Bugoma CFR is an
internationally recognized conservation area which requires key stakeholders to
participate and provide inputs”, however NFA was not consulted. Therefore NFA
recommended to NEMA the following: to consult the Ministry of Water and
Environment, who was against the sugar project; to call for a public hearing
because the impact of the project is totally not addressed in the ESIA; to
advise the developer to look for an alternative land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The opinion by Uganda Wildlife Authority is not any
different. In a letter dated 21th July 2020 to NEMA, UWA writes that it
“strongly discourages conversion of the natural forest into a sugar cane
plantation as this would cause irreversible impact on the ecosystem and
wildlife” and that “the developer should be advised to keep the forest and not
to replace it”; in fact, UWA writes, “chimpanzees are attracted to sugar cane
and this makes the plantation incompatible with the surroundings”. UWA also
notes that “the developer did not carry out comprehensive consultations with
stakeholders as it was advised to do” and the ESIA refers to the Environmental
Act of 1995, but that was changed by National Environment Act 2019 which should
be the current legal basis for the ESIA. In the end, “the area is under consideration
for upgrade to a national park status for better protection”, therefore it
should not be interfered with. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Despite all the relevant stakeholders being
against the sugar plantation project, Court says that the process of
consultation was fair.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 31.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">At a certain
point the Judge states that “the consciousness for environment protection in this
country is of recent origin and were justifiably made should be encouraged”.
Indeed we agree with this statement as we express our dissatisfaction that once
again a Court of law is wasting an opportunity to clear the ground on the
shameful matters related to the destruction of Bugoma Forest. The Court chooses
on the one hand not to enter into the merit of the decision made by the
Executive Director of NEMA, recognizing his mandate of “power of death and
life” over the national natural resources; on the other hands by giving full credit
to the same false statements that NEMA and Hoima Sugar were spreading for the
last one year concerning the nature of the habitat and the nature of the land
ownership. This bipartisan choice by the court can set a precedent of making
false statements to become true, therefore it can encourage further misconduct
from the side of those who acquired forest reserve through dubious means at the
expense of the citizens of Uganda, the biodiversity, the international civil
societies, in the name of “private right of property”. Bugoma Forest is a
resource of supreme importance and it is a pain that Court entirely failed to
recognize it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">One year of Save Bugoma
Forest Campaign was not an attempt to gain visibility and public support based
on “sensationalism” and “unsubstantiated allegations” – as Court says -, on the
contrary it was an attempt to make public the truth and the facts over the
destruction of Bugoma Forest and that this process was reversed. It is only in
the interest of Hoima Sugar (and the few powerful politicians behind it) that
Bugoma forest should be destroyed. It is in the interest of everybody else, in
the world and in Uganda, that environmental crimes are now considered as a
number one danger to the social and economic development of our societies. The
Court failed to read the changes of the current time, by standing on a very
conservative ruling while only recognizing the “right of property” of Hoima
Sugar, even when that property is a dubious one (pending court of appeal
decision). The Court does not acknowledge that a very limited and improper
procedure of acquiring the ESIA caused to the citizens of Uganda a violation of
their rights to a clean and healthy environment, which the main government
institutions tried to oppose, but NEMA and Hoima Sugar failed them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The Board of the Association for the Conservation
of Bugoma Forest (ACBF).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Robert
Akugizibwe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Board
Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tel: +256 771435809<o:p></o:p></span></p>costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-87353285677368889552021-02-19T05:09:00.000-08:002021-02-19T05:09:25.010-08:00Press release: Hoima Sugar LTD destroys the part of Bugoma Forest planned for eco-tourism development<p> </p><p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">February 12, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">KAMPALA</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In a bid to further efforts
to save Bugoma Forest from the ongoing destruction by Hoima Sugar Ltd and other
claimants, members of Save Bugoma Forest campaign have been engaging key
stakeholders to rally their support towards this cause.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Key among other stakeholders
are engagements with;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">1. Residents of over 15
Villages adjacent to Bugoma Forest<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2. RDC of Kikuube district
(Amlan Tumusiime) & Kikuube district CAO among other district leaders who
have pledged support to conserve the environment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">SBFC team commends the
residents adjacent to Bugoma forest who have formed vigilante groups to protect
the forest and also began collection signatures to petition the president whom
they strongly believe can prevail over Hoima Sugar Ltd investors to stop the
degradation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">However we are dismayed that Hoima
Sugar Ltd has failed to live up to key conditions in the erroneously issued Environmental
and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate of approval by National
Environment Management Authority (NEMA).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Latest GPS images in the
hands of the SBFC show that as at January 7, 2021, Hoima Sugar Ltd had
cultivated 405 hectares of Bugoma forest land. This is all being with impunity
in disregard of the ongoing court cases in both the high court and court of
appeal contesting validity of the ESIA issued by NEMA and the titles issued by
ministry of lands to Hoima Sugar Ltd and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sadly, part of above 405
hectares destroyed by Hoima Sugar Ltd is that that was approved for ecotourism
purposes, and not sugarcane growing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Condition 4.7 of Hoima Sugar
Ltd’s ESIA certificate of approval says that the company has to ‘Ensure that
the [sugarcane] plantation is restricted to the areas indicated in the ESIS
[Environmental and Social Impact Statement] …’</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Moreover, Condition 4.5 of the
certificate says that before developing an ecotourism center, cultural site,
workers’ camps and others, Hoima Sugar is required to conduct separate ESIA
studies for each of those projects.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ongoing activities by Hoima
Sugar are also a gross violation, disregard of the District development plan
for the Host district Kikuube. According to the district land use plans, the
section that Hoima Sugar is clearing is only meant conservation activities not
Agriculture.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihy6dK54DkX3DWZ6mY6djWXSxz3zA53UJc1bSTtLvrx9A0spGcPMn7tda2pe3juZi7kTaMBis_g8oZjHQeZMI8R1HGVvZqZ8JixWBzhhdgrU9RZg5y5PYiCldkRO0NCTtZ_IYn1McDReRH/s640/Map+of+clearing+by+Feb+2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihy6dK54DkX3DWZ6mY6djWXSxz3zA53UJc1bSTtLvrx9A0spGcPMn7tda2pe3juZi7kTaMBis_g8oZjHQeZMI8R1HGVvZqZ8JixWBzhhdgrU9RZg5y5PYiCldkRO0NCTtZ_IYn1McDReRH/w640-h360/Map+of+clearing+by+Feb+2021.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">Map of the Area of Bugoma Forest given away to Hoima Sugar with current development.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">OUR DEMANDS <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> 1. </span></span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Government
should urgently commence the pending boundary opening for Bugoma forest in a
transparent way by allowing the participation of interested Ugandans. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> 2. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We
reject the leadership of the Commissioner for maps and Surveys Ogalo Williams
to reopen the boundaries of Bugoma forest. He is a man known for endless land
scandals and the same man testified before court in 2016 that Bugoma forest
doesn’t exist.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> 2. </span></span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We urge
the courts to be patriotic and expedite the adjudication of cases in court
concerning Bugoma forest in the best of Mother Nature.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> 3. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We call upon Bunyoro Kitara kingdom
to true in all their dealings, state clearly its stand on the issue of Bugoma,
and listen to voices of majority Banyoro who are calling for the conservation
of Bugoma.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> 4. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We reject the recent cabinet
decision to borrow billions of money from World bank to plant trees in the
Albertine region yet the same government is allowing sugar Ltd to shave down a
natural forest in Bugoma. This is myopic and unacceptable.</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> 5. </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">We call
upon all Ugandans mindful of their future that there is no way our future can
secured without proper conservation of Bugoma forest, the time is now standup
and conserve Bugoma forest. <o:p></o:p></span></p>costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-47884408598792402122020-12-31T04:08:00.000-08:002020-12-31T04:08:55.478-08:00“BEST ENEMY OF THE PLANET” AWARD 2020 TO HOIMA SUGAR LIMITED<p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">PRESS
RELEASE – 31 DECEMBER 2020. </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The
Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest (ACBF) wish to say good bye
to the year 2020 by issuing the special award “Best Enemy of the Planet” for
the year 2020.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This
year 2020 has been very dramatic in terms of damages to the environment
worldwide, whereby the arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic not only did not
contribute to a better awareness and change of behavior in the human society
especially the economic sectors, but on the contrary it contributed to trigger
a faster degradation and strengthening of the criminal economy, in the world
and in Uganda.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">In
Uganda in August 2020 the protected tropical forest reserve of Bugoma Forest started
to be cleared, open air, by Hoima Sugar company under the guarding of heavy military
personnel. In fact, this destruction cannot be explained as an attempt to bring
“economic development”, like the paid propaganda said, because timber logging
and sugar cane growing not only are of immensely lesser economic value than a
pristine tropical forest, but also because they benefit only few individuals
whose business is dubious and suspicious.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The number 15 of Sustainable
Development Goals is to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of
terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and
halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Therefore,
the year 2020 in Uganda will be remembered as the year in which Hoima Sugar Limited
destroyed Bugoma Forest. For this reason, the Association decided to award the price
“Best Enemy of the Planet” 2020 to Hoima Sugar Limited under this motivation: “for
the great contribution to environmental devastation, with loss of prime
tropical forest, attack to endangered species like the chimpanzees, violation
of people’s right to health and disregard to Sustainable Development Goals”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">As
we give out this award, we also would like to inform that the Ministry of Lands
Housing and Urban Development on 29<sup>th</sup> December 2020 published a
Notice of a public hearing for 400 land titles owners in gazetted forest reserve
to take place on 18<sup>th</sup> February 2021 with a notice to effect
cancellation of the titles. Among them on number 116 is the plot 216 Block 2 of
Kyangwali, the land title of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom leased to Hoima Sugar. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It
is our prayer that 2021 will bring clarity to all the mismanagement and
illegalities that brought to the current destruction of Bugoma Forest and that
restoration of the damages be effected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
Board of ACBF<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">E-mail:
<a href="mailto:acbforest@gmail.com">acbforest@gmail.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurutwXYNvdMjGs7AEbQC_XQUGyuVJxMxBKhnOQMvaajmq6GWspbj8Gnb2THE1a-fqSEMeOv7AUKuX6t3AVQv7upnmyYOkQvuJOvhQmiiWhQ1GaqJfx0jIFMLee5RlEHuj7Rp1IVbtiSzz/s2048/ACBF+CERTIFICATE+OF+BEST+ENEMY+OF+THE+PLANET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurutwXYNvdMjGs7AEbQC_XQUGyuVJxMxBKhnOQMvaajmq6GWspbj8Gnb2THE1a-fqSEMeOv7AUKuX6t3AVQv7upnmyYOkQvuJOvhQmiiWhQ1GaqJfx0jIFMLee5RlEHuj7Rp1IVbtiSzz/w640-h452/ACBF+CERTIFICATE+OF+BEST+ENEMY+OF+THE+PLANET.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-40346077735464651112020-10-13T13:48:00.002-07:002020-10-13T13:51:25.940-07:00ACBF Projects running in 2020 and 2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVLHQ89OA1fE4F2c-X9rDwhBC9C4UyxpJZas04NbPu6V6i2pm__SXIHfR0kxzmjj7728vaNziIXk24trkxQhxN2r0MRgIQjSOfPaV0kaRQz2VDuycGOJKVKSJMkEwV2rSZAIPAspE402H/s5113/ACBF+FYER+PROJECTS+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5113" data-original-width="615" height="4836" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVLHQ89OA1fE4F2c-X9rDwhBC9C4UyxpJZas04NbPu6V6i2pm__SXIHfR0kxzmjj7728vaNziIXk24trkxQhxN2r0MRgIQjSOfPaV0kaRQz2VDuycGOJKVKSJMkEwV2rSZAIPAspE402H/w573-h4836/ACBF+FYER+PROJECTS+2020.jpg" width="573" /></a></div><br /><p></p>costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-31385538310421492362020-10-07T01:34:00.001-07:002020-10-07T01:34:31.181-07:00Poster Run for Nature 25th October 2020: Run to Save Bugoma Forest<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxECn5bPTZmtQu7D1IEsmlj3XGYsMdLMwQTMKq5hQ4G1xHcYh50Vz2TGvmkth2oOSwE-q7190mjJlBemP9L5OHv0QjhZThwXKB8EIinYNH8SQ-6gJv5aoBuqLtr2AszoEDSBPpplS0_LVJ/s2048/RUN+FOR+NATURE+POSTER+25+OCTOBER+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxECn5bPTZmtQu7D1IEsmlj3XGYsMdLMwQTMKq5hQ4G1xHcYh50Vz2TGvmkth2oOSwE-q7190mjJlBemP9L5OHv0QjhZThwXKB8EIinYNH8SQ-6gJv5aoBuqLtr2AszoEDSBPpplS0_LVJ/w453-h640/RUN+FOR+NATURE+POSTER+25+OCTOBER+2020.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-73530898629747589722020-10-02T06:38:00.000-07:002020-10-02T06:38:15.445-07:00SAVE BUGOMA FOREST ACTIVISTS PROTEST THE ISSUANCE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT BY NEMA TO HOIMA SUGAR LTD.<p> </p><p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">23 August 2020 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">PRESS STATEMENT - </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></b></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">SAVE BUGOMA FOREST ACTIVISTS PROTEST THE ISSUANCE OF THE
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT BY
NEMA TO HOIMA SUGAR LTD.</span></b></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1. The undersigned civil society including: NGOs, environmental
journalists, activists and members of the public under the umbrella body Save
Bugoma Forest Campaign 2020 are protesting against National Environmental
Management Authority (NEMA) for issuing a certificate of approval for the
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report authorizing Hoima
Sugar limited to destroy over 21 square miles of Bogoma forest to plant
sugarcane and other activities.</span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2. According to the ESIA Certificate issued by NEMA dated August
14, 2020 a copy of which we have, NEMA has permitted Hoima Sugar LTD to use 21
sq. miles out of the 22 Sq miles they (Hoima Sugar) leased from Bunyoro Kitara
Kingdom at 3 billion shillings against the will of NFA the chief custodians of
all Natural forests and against the calls by Ugandans.</span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2amuYhu0-3feLsw2U6nXfVBEF6429xzxZH0cbhceoI6ETIhhDx7Dop1kVyh3a9THQ83Lvh8Y2U1ea_XufW0gH-dwEZQGQ3SKxjSPbrbt-VALoW8PjGE0_hGEKNUW74qWgM7CUGXrhgHY/s1080/IMG-20200823-WA0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2amuYhu0-3feLsw2U6nXfVBEF6429xzxZH0cbhceoI6ETIhhDx7Dop1kVyh3a9THQ83Lvh8Y2U1ea_XufW0gH-dwEZQGQ3SKxjSPbrbt-VALoW8PjGE0_hGEKNUW74qWgM7CUGXrhgHY/s320/IMG-20200823-WA0007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />3. In the ESIA certificate of approval, NEMA has tried to confuse
the public that Hoima Sugar Ltd will plant sugarcane on 9.24 sq. miles,
establish an urban Centre on 1.206 Sq. miles, establish an eco-tourism center
on 1.97 sq. miles and restore forest on 3.13 sq. miles, among other economic
activities but based on the way NEMA had facilitated the fraud and violated the
laws of Uganda to issue the above certificate, no one should trust NEMA. The
certificate of approve will facilitate Hoima Sugar destroy Bugoma forest. The
conditions in the certificate are only intended to mislead the public. This is
the same NEMA that gave a wrong permit to Lwera sand miners and later resulted
into court awarding the degraders over UGX180 billion. Why should Ugandans
trust NEMA?<p></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4. As citizens committed to promote conservation of Bugoma forest
and the environment generally, we strongly object to the ESIA certificate of
approval by NEMA to Hoima sugar Ltd to destroy any part of Bugoma, not even one
square mile or an acre. Bugoma forest must be conserved and all degraded areas
restored.</span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5. We want to inform all Ugandans that the Environment and Social
Impact Assessment report certificate of approval issued is simply a
sugarcoated, well-crafted move smoothened by NEMA to legalize an illegal
process to give away and destroy Bugoma forest by Hoima Sugar LTD. It is
unfortunate that a government agency can engage in facilitating destruction of
a forest amidst worsening impacts of climatic changes in and outside Uganda.</span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6. More so,
it is absurd that NEMA opted to violate all environmental laws governing ESIA
processes in Uganda. Among others, they violated the 1998 Environmental Impact
Assessment Regulations, especially regulations: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">i. Regulation
12: which requires the developer to publically consult the public but the
developer did not publicize any consultations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ii.
Regulations 19 and 20: NEMA was required to publically call for public comments
on the complete ESIA report by Hoima Sugar Ltd but this, they did not. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">iii.
Regulations 21and 22: which require NEMA to order for a mandatory public
hearing/s where the project in question is controversial. The Hoima Sugar Ltd’s
Sugarcane project in Bugoma is controversial as there is still a case in court,
citizens’ petitions to parliament, minister of water and environment, NFA,
NEMA, Development partners, such European Union, Dutch Embassy, French Embassy
and others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">iv. NEMA also
violated regulations 24 and 25 regarding how a decision on the ESIA should be
made. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">v. NEMA processed and approved Hoima Sugar Ltd’s ESIA at a time
when there is a case in court regarding the same subject matter and therefore
NEMA violated the subjudice rule.</span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7. In view of the above, the ESIA certificate of approval issued
by NEMA to Hoima Sugar Ltd must be revoked immediately.</span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our demands and plans: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8. It is very clear that NEMA’s ESIA certificate of approval to
Hoima Sugar Ltd is a product of fraud and it cannot be enforced in any
democratic society.</span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9. We call upon all Ugandans to use their powers as enshrined in
article 1 of the Constitution to Save Bugoma forest at all costs.</span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Specifically, we demand for the following</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJTVrb0mxveDqNDxdlP0iIqlAQDJbmcklM9S2vcSEEdMBco9Mz0uo6za3aOyvHUI7VAbBvDgf2snX7KQRKb4jcM21E_3pDRXcoh1yNF2oW_mxLWmGuXxon0wE0c0tRwFjakgdOKH374wR/s1080/IMG-20200823-WA0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJTVrb0mxveDqNDxdlP0iIqlAQDJbmcklM9S2vcSEEdMBco9Mz0uo6za3aOyvHUI7VAbBvDgf2snX7KQRKb4jcM21E_3pDRXcoh1yNF2oW_mxLWmGuXxon0wE0c0tRwFjakgdOKH374wR/s320/IMG-20200823-WA0021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />a. NEMA’s
Executive Director should immediately be interdicted and investigated for
engaging and facilitating fraud to destroy Bugoma forest. <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">b. Parliament
should use its oversight powers to investigate the actions of NEMA, Hoima Sugar
Ltd and ministry of lands for issuing land titles in forest reserves, approving
ESIA reports in disregarding of national laws and other illegal actions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">c. If NEMA does not revoke the ESIA certificate of approval to
Hoima Sugar Ltd in the next 8 days from today 23 August 2020, we shall organize
massive public demonstrations in both Kampala on 2nd September and in Kikube
and Hoima districts on 6 September 2020 to express our disappointment against
NEMA and government, and to enable the citizens to take control of Bugoma
forest to stop NEMA’s fraud and Hoima Sugar Ltd’s plans to destroy Bugoma
forest. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">d. We call on
the Sugar Producers Association of Uganda to dissociate themselves from the
actions of Hoima Sugar Ltd and commit that they will use their influence to
ensure that Hoima Sugar does not destroy Bugoma. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">e. We call
upon oil and gas companies to join the campaign to protect Bugoma forest from
destruction because this forest is key in absorbing fossil gases that will be
produced by oil activities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">f. We call
upon the financiers of Hoima Sugar Ltd to withdraw their funding because this
is a dirty investment. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 1.35pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">g. If NEMA
does not revoke the certificate of approval to Hoima Sugar Ltd, we shall call
upon all Ugandans to boycott sugar from Hoima Sugar Ltd and its associates
including Kinyara Sugar. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">h. On Monday, the 24 August 2020, we shall file a case in the High
Court of Uganda against NEMA and the Executive Director of NEMA as an
individual for issuing the ESIA certificate of approval to Hoima Sugar Ltd to
destroy Bugoma forest in total violation of the laws of Uganda.</span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Importance of Bugoma CFR Bio-diversity. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 3.45pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">i. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bugoma CFR is
a tourism hub. Its home to about 600 Chimpanzees’ and contains the highest
density of the Nahan’s Francolin and Grey Parrot birds among other endangered
bird spices. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 3.45pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ii. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is a
migratory corridor for large mammals such as chimps and Elephants connecting to
Budongo and Murchison Falls National Park from Queen Elizabeth National Park. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 3.45pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">iii. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s a
western arm of the rift Valley. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 3.45pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">iv. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Central in
Rain formation, it’s likely the region will be hit by adverse effects of
climate change. This is in addition to the loss of soil fertility when the area
starts to experience drought which will subsequently affect the factors of
production and result into economic crisis in the region and at the household
level. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="margin-bottom: 3.45pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">v. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bugoma is
home to several rivers sources that recharge Lake Albert and the surrounding
wetlands which act as the breeding grounds for the fish in L. Albert. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">vi. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">More significantly, Bugoma is centrally located at the heart of
the Albertine oil exploration, and mining will soon start. It’s expected that
oil explosives and production flares would be absorbed by the forest which acts
as the carbon sink. Therefore, if depleted, all the pollution will directly be
released into space to chock Ugandans.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
God and our country.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">#SaveBugomaForest #ForestLivesmatter</p>costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-64957554707711348762020-07-02T09:35:00.000-07:002020-07-02T09:35:28.777-07:00Press release: launch of Save Bugoma Forest Campaign 2020, "Forest Life Matters"<br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June 26, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Kampala, Uganda<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">CSOS & TOURISM ACTORS CALL FOR AN END
TO BUGOMA FOREST DESTRUCTION BY LAND GRABBERS, LAUNCH THE INITIATIVE “FOREST
LIFE MATTERS”<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3islib8_vO2zt3BJSOfQs6Y1jRjDQSFh41rXDqw1MKJdUiVM4qhTfApq4gviKJM4AQKC9iEH6BvptOhluv2Lel9bobJSFrOqFK9zX-P6_8ZjRD9fFwSqyDp9MZriTrMUQj6T2j4-tiOJ3/s1600/press+conference+26+june+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="992" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3islib8_vO2zt3BJSOfQs6Y1jRjDQSFh41rXDqw1MKJdUiVM4qhTfApq4gviKJM4AQKC9iEH6BvptOhluv2Lel9bobJSFrOqFK9zX-P6_8ZjRD9fFwSqyDp9MZriTrMUQj6T2j4-tiOJ3/s320/press+conference+26+june+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Press Conference 26 June 2020</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
civil society organizations (CSOs) and tourism associations listed below met
today to launch the initiative “FOREST LIFE MATTERS”. The CSOs and associations
are working under the coalition, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Save
Bugoma Forest Campaign 2020</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
objective of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FOREST LIFE MATTERS</b>
initiative is to strongly object against the current attempt to destroy Bugoma
forest by land grabbers for sugarcane growing, other destructive projects and
to remind stakeholders that Bugoma is an important ancient tropical rainforest with
ecological, climatological and socio-economic importance. Notably, the forest
is a sanctuary for chimpanzees, an endangered species.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite the above,
two companies, namely Hoima Sugar Ltd and MZ Agencies, are in the process of
cutting down over 10,000 hectares of the forest for sugarcane growing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">On March 10, 2020,
MZ Agencies obtained a court order to chase away National Forestry Authority
(NFA) and UPDF soldiers that were guarding Bugoma Forest. The NFA and UPDF were
protecting the forest from being destroyed for sugarcane growing and other land
grabbers. On May 14, 2020, all security personnel guarding </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Plot 115 Nyangabi and Plot 105 Nyaigugu, which make
up part of Bugoma </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">forest (Nkwaki South sector), left. Consequently, up
to 100 MZ Agencies workers started cutting down over 2,000 hectares of Bugoma
forest. This happened even before determination of the main case that NFA filed
to prevent destruction of the forest in the High Court. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before
this, on December 3, 2019, Hoima Sugar Ltd and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom got a
favorable ruling from the Masindi High court ordering NFA and her agents to
stop guarding the contested part of the forest (Muhangaizima sector of Bugoma)
for Hoima Sugar to use the said land as it wishes. In the appeal, NFA requested
that the status quo of maintaining Bugoma as a forest is preserved. However,
the judge ruled that the applicant, NFA, failed to prove that there is a threat
to the status quo but NFA’s prayer was rejected in favor of Hoima Sugar to cut
down the forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today,
Hoima Sugar Ltd has approved Terms of Reference (ToR) from NEMA and is in the
final stages of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process
that may pave way for a certificate of approval from NEMA to commence
destruction of Bugoma forest. There is no reason why NEMA, the country’s
overall environmental regulator is processing tools to allow land grabbers to
destroy a central forest reserve at a time when the project land is still being
contested in court. Why NEMA is not working with NFA to defend and protect the
national forest remains a big question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Converting
Bugoma forest into a sugarcane plantation among other land uses that are not
compatible with forest conservation is not only illegal but is also a danger to
the environment and to humanity. The CSOs and tourism associations that are
launching the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FOREST LIFE MATTERS</b>
initiative today are calling upon government and the land grabbers including
the above companies to stop the destruction of Bugoma forest. We are also
making the following demands:<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJSVwyfqOjBTOmNmmXAySsCT4OD2wqqxhRdGbhyK5N5G6Ks3Q9UzpEa1wSPtgmV6VXD5u-NWg1STeu7LgwKx8UOtvyNa8NxJocBybXQkL-poQkOdRvbBxTsoJJ5rL3W5KYCpxNCddwRk9/s1600/press+conference+26+june+2020+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="744" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJSVwyfqOjBTOmNmmXAySsCT4OD2wqqxhRdGbhyK5N5G6Ks3Q9UzpEa1wSPtgmV6VXD5u-NWg1STeu7LgwKx8UOtvyNa8NxJocBybXQkL-poQkOdRvbBxTsoJJ5rL3W5KYCpxNCddwRk9/s320/press+conference+26+june+2020+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Dickens Kamugisha, Spokesperson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Land grabbers remain a threat to Bugoma forest amidst ongoing
court cases</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is sad that threats to Bugoma forest have continued
to increase at a time when there are cases in court. In 2019 cases against
Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and Hoima Sugar Ltd were being fought. Today, MZ
Agencies has also emerged to destroy Bugoma forest. Yet government has said
that the lease title given to Hoima Sugar in 2016 was cancelled. Why did court
reject NFA’s prayer to maintain the status quo of the forest until the main
case was determined? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
despite the case in court, Hoima Sugar Ltd continues to claim ownership of
8,000 acres of Bugoma forest and are holding a court allowing them to use the
contested land even before final determination of the main appeal. We request
that the status quo is maintained until final judgements are made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Investigate court rulings which were given in favour of land
grabbers and cancel all the illegal titles</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">: the NFA and government have continued to lose court cases
against land grabbers who are determined to destroy Bugoma forest. As was
earlier noted, NFA has lost cases to Bunyoro Kingdom, Hoima Sugar Ltd and MZ
Agencies. This is unfortunate. Government should investigate the Bugoma forest
court processes to ensure that the court losses are not as a result of
corruption where some court officials may connive against NFA. Moreover, too
many actors, including cabinet ministers and judges, seem to have forgotten
that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bugoma forest, with an area of 41,144
hectares, was gazetted by the Parliament of Uganda under Statutory Instrument
No. 63 of 1998.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Parliament of Uganda
has never changed this gazettement, therefore all the titles are illegal and
must be cancelled.<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Investigate and prosecute all government officials who
processed the land titles in parts of Bugoma forest: </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bugoma forest is part of a long list of protected areas for
which land titles have been processed by the lands office under the Ministry of
Lands and the Uganda Land Commission. The titles have been issued to private
investors. These illegal actions are being facilitated by corruption in
government offices. It is necessary that the perpetrators of these illegal
actions are prosecuted and if found guilty, be punished. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Enable public access to cadastral maps of the boundaries of
Bugoma</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The NFA and government should immediately
make public all the relevant cadastral maps regarding the boundaries of Bugoma
forest and its catchment areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under
Article 41 of the 1995 Uganda Constitution, citizens have a right of access to
information including information on protected areas such as Bugoma forest. The
maps will help citizens determine the boundaries of Bugoma forest, which are
under dispute for easy protection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NEMA’s approval of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hoima Sugar Ltd’s ESIA ToR is in bad faith: </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Further,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>while NFA
is in court fighting land grabbers who have taken over Bugoma forest, NEMA, a
government agency charged with regulating and promoting environmental
conservation efforts, is going ahead to process Hoima Sugar’s ToR and ESIA
applications. The role being played by NEMA is more of a political one as
opposed to the technical role that the authority should play. This is
unacceptable. Government agencies must work together to promote conservation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Publicize ministerial and parliamentary reports on Bugoma
forest:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> For the last five or so years,
both government and parliament have either failed or ignored to release the
investigation reports regarding claims of land ownership of Bugoma forest by
Bunyoro Kingdom. Government should publicize these reports to enable the public
understand the progress made to stop destruction of Bugoma forest. The reports
are also important for the cases in court.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Operationalize draft ESIA regulations to guard against
illegal projects: </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Ministry
of Water and Environment (MWE) should urgently consult the public, complete and
operationalize the 2019 draft ESIA regulations. The new regulations should
provide against commencement of any ESIA process for a project that is subject
to court proceedings and/or is being investigated by government and surrounding
communities have not been consulted and consented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Government should give Bugoma forest a chance to develop its full
potential for eco-tourism and conservation-related activities.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Currently all licenses, permits, Memoranda of Understanding
(MOUs) and contracts for Bugoma forest are on hold pending all the cases in
court. This has greatly damaged private sector investments in eco-tourism, accommodation
and other activities aimed at increasing tourism in Bugoma forest. The
activities started in Bugoma only in 2018 with introduction of nature walks and
need to be strengthened, not weakened. The ecofriendly private project
developers in Bugoma forest need to be reassured of the rule of law and about
the fact that Bugoma is and will remain a tropical rainforest of high
biodiversity importance. The forest should not be degraded for sugarcane
plantations. It should be noted that currently, Uganda earns over $1.6 billion
in revenues from tourism per year. Destroying Bugoma forest will lead to loss
of these revenues at the expense of Ugandans, especially local communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPN2zJr5kPalrN_GKu8hzrkTY5z93nADOtECPz19fIIiL0fcBMue-glOUsXxkMtGs9k4fcJAT2n8FofjOSGDPtE8ReTJ98Qd-wy7Mcg_k-URngUfuMWb9lE3fRQX7GhwbJGU6IScT7b1U/s1600/group+save+bugoma+campaign+first+meeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPN2zJr5kPalrN_GKu8hzrkTY5z93nADOtECPz19fIIiL0fcBMue-glOUsXxkMtGs9k4fcJAT2n8FofjOSGDPtE8ReTJ98Qd-wy7Mcg_k-URngUfuMWb9lE3fRQX7GhwbJGU6IScT7b1U/s400/group+save+bugoma+campaign+first+meeting.jpg" title="Save Bugoma Campaiign group photo" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From right: Benedict Ntale, Joshua Rukundo, David Kureeba, Aggrey Malinga, Venex Watebawa, Cynthia Nantumbwe, Joshua Mutale, Dickens Kamugisha.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The people of Kikuube district, local leaders, smallholder
farmers and other businesses in the area of Bugoma are tired of years of
uncertainty of their landscape and their environment.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> People are tired of seeing the arrogance of land grabbers that
want to make them victims and impoverished on their own land. For many years, the
communities have suffered intimidation, attacks and evictions of smallholder
farmers. The land grabbers are using sensitization meetings held at community
level to tell lies to communities about how sugarcane development will benefit
communities and yet we know it is a curse. We demand an end of abuse of community
rights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oil activities attracting more land grabbers</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">: It is clear that the new oil sector in the Albertine Graben
that has led to construction of roads and other facilities in and around
protected areas including forests, national parks and reserves, wetlands,
around lakes and rivers, etc are a major cause attracting all politically,
economically and corrupt people to acquire titles and destroy protected areas.
This is what is called the oil curse and it is sad that it has started in
Uganda even before commencement of oil exploitation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Government should use its land acquisition powers under
Article 26 of the Constitution to save Bugoma forest and its catchment areas
from land grabbers.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
Considering the importance of Bugoma forest, we call upon government to use its
compulsory land acquisition powers to save Bugoma forest. This should be done
as a last resort after all other options including cancelling the land titles
in Bugoma forest have been exploited. However, the practice of compensating
people who illegally acquire titles over Bugoma forest and other protected
areas should be discouraged as it will worsen corruption and destruction of
environment in Uganda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once again, we would like to reiterate that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">FOREST LIFE MATTERS and we call on every
citizen to stand up and protect Bugoma forest from destruction</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ENDS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SaveBugomaForest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">#</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ForestLifeMatters<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
more information, contact:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dickens
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kamugisha
– Tel: 0782407085<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Benedict Ntale – Tel:
0772151904<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">E-mail:
bugomacampaign@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-30987125066263150062020-03-13T08:36:00.003-07:002020-04-10T02:57:49.485-07:00PRESS RELEASE: LAUNCH OF RUN FOR NATURE 2020<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: -4.5pt; margin-right: -13.5pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: -31.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">13
March 2020<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></div>
<h2 style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">PRESS RELEASE: LAUNCH OF RUN FOR NATURE
2020 – “SUGAR FREE FORESTS”</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: .3pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Today,
the Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest (ABCF), together with
partners and sponsors, launches the fourth edition of Run for Nature, under the
theme "<b>Sugar free forests and the beekeeping project</b>". Run for
Nature is an annual event organized on the occasion of the International Day of
Forests; this year the Run will take place on 29<sup>th</sup> March 2020, from
Rivonia Hotel in Robert Mugabe Road, Mbuya, Kampala. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtLdl3xUxX0vv_U4hilwft61AEEQtvjMNx02UGw99CLBjrm6khVFAb5RMU4Dv2syAFicx6f7q6yPxKKbhGIb2eDzS9-L0AzLuMWhfV9ZyY2etTJ16TJ6W-lnIZuTMwLMCItCU03b0RAWZ/s1600/Run+for+Nature+Press+Conference+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="1040" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtLdl3xUxX0vv_U4hilwft61AEEQtvjMNx02UGw99CLBjrm6khVFAb5RMU4Dv2syAFicx6f7q6yPxKKbhGIb2eDzS9-L0AzLuMWhfV9ZyY2etTJ16TJ6W-lnIZuTMwLMCItCU03b0RAWZ/s400/Run+for+Nature+Press+Conference+2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>From Left: Mayor of Nakawa Balimwezo Ronald
Nsubuga, Officer European Union Campodonico Beatrice, Ambassador of Italy Mazzanti Massimiliano, Marketing Head UTB Natukunda Sandra, Chair ACBF Tessarin Costantino</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
theme intends to raise interest and investments for livelihoods alternative to
sugar cane, in the case of Bugoma Forest and elsewhere. The proceedings of the
Run in fact will support the implementation of the beekeeping for the farmers
in Kikuube District. <span style="color: black;">The idea is </span>t<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">o provide
training and equipment to 10 leading farmers and establishing a honey
processing plant, which will attract more revenue locally as well as market for
the honey. The Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest will directly
implement this project and run the honey processing plant in partnership with
the farmers’ association. The overall cost of the project is 33,300,000 Ugandan
Shillings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Like in the previous editions,
the Run brings together conservation, environment and tourism sector, with
recognition by institutions like the Ministry of Water and Environment and the
Embassy of Italy in Uganda. This year, the European Union has joined the
partnership through the co-sponsorship of the Run. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The main partners of the
Run are the National Forestry Authority and the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). The
tourism sector is represented also by the umbrella Uganda Tourism Association
(UTA) and their different associations: Association of Uganda Tour Operators
(AUTO), Uganda Association of Travel Agents (TUGATA), Uganda Hotels Owners
Association (UHOA). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The partners from the
conservation sector are key organizations having a history of presence and
commitment for the conservation of Bugoma Forest, such as the Chimpanzee
Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust and Eco Trust. Other key partners of the
Run for Nature are Slow Food Uganda and the Scouts of Uganda, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurbgqXgVlaWUhnm1BrvMqQ2JJKdXB8CdnvdNH3X2PdeG496LBiA03860ZUuW2LXfvcc3oAi-DZeaCIadbZt5fCEDjVx-hlwM0UMDdda1lGYr7kLorlP-d2y03Q_C8oVsO1qzpZiwDwUYS/s1600/Run+for+Nature+Flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="763" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurbgqXgVlaWUhnm1BrvMqQ2JJKdXB8CdnvdNH3X2PdeG496LBiA03860ZUuW2LXfvcc3oAi-DZeaCIadbZt5fCEDjVx-hlwM0UMDdda1lGYr7kLorlP-d2y03Q_C8oVsO1qzpZiwDwUYS/s400/Run+for+Nature+Flyer.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">INFORMATION ABOUT THE RUN:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Run for
Nature</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> will take place on
29<sup>th</sup> March 2020 at 7 am from Rivonia Hotel in Robert Mugabe Road,
Mbuya. The run is open for the registration of 5 km and 10 km for the
categories of individuals, corporates and students. The Registration Points are
open at National Forestry Authority, at the Association of Uganda Tour
Operators, at Café Pap in Parliament Avenue and at our Association premises.
The fees are 30.000 Ugx for individuals, 250.000 Ugx for Corporate with up to 4
participants and 550,000 Ugx for Corporate up to 10 participants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
chief runner for this edition will be His Worship Balimwezo Ronald Nsubuga,
Mayor of Nakawa Division Urban Council, Kampala Capital City Authority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">SPONSORS
RUN FOR NATURE 2020<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There will not be the Run
for Nature 2020 without the support of sponsors and partners, starting from the
European Union. We thank all the sponsors: Gorilla Tours, Nature Lodges,
Sobetra, Rivonia Hotel, Data Net, Destination Jungle, Daniel Choudry Sales
Institute, Pakuba Lodge, Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge, Liaison Group of
insurance, Standard Signs Contractors, Stirling Constructions, Jibu water,
Tarpo Industries</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><u>BACKGROUND INFORMATION</u>:</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ABOUT ACBF AND BUGOMA FOREST<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest is a CBO association registered
in Kikuube District (former Hoima District), in 2016 with the only objective to
work on projects for the conservation of Bugoma Forest. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Bugoma Central Forest Reserve (CFR) is a 411km<sup>2</sup> government
forest located </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">in Kikuube
District in the Western part of Uganda on the Escarpment edge near Lake Albert.
According to the biodiversity report, Bugoma is an exceptionally rich forest in
terms of vertebrate fauna. Two notable bird species are Nahan’s francolin and
the black eared ground thrush which are known from only another forest in
Uganda, Kibale forest. Sizeable populations of about 500 chimpanzees, the
endemic grey cheecked mangabey (Ugandan Mangabey) and small numbers of
elephants have been recorded in Bugoma Forest. Despite its importance in
biodiversity, this forest has an history of degradation, deforestation and
general threat to its existence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In
2019, the Association started to invest in eco-tourism activities in the
central reserve as a way forward for conservation and for improving peoples’
perception about the forest. The project of Chimp T-Rap that from 2016 serves
as a support patrolling team for National Forestry Authority, is now serving
also as a guiding team for tourists. In 2019 the Association entered into
partnership with the Association KASFA (Kikuube District Farmers Association).
In an area of poor and small scale subsistence agriculture, <span style="color: black;">agro-forestry interventions will help maintaining a food
security where many farmers are encouraged to embrace sugar cane plantation,
which is negatively affecting the food security, the environment of the buffer
zones and the health of people in general, moreover impoverishing the household
incomes. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">SINCE THE PREVIOUS RUN OF 2019<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Since
the previous edition of Run for Nature on 30<sup>th</sup> March 2019, our
Association launched the “Save Bugoma Forest campaign” in May 2019 after the
High Court of Masindi in the Civil Suit number 0031 of 2016 ruled against
National Forestry Authority and in favor of the Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara and
Hoima Sugar. The ruling was that part of Bugoma Forest for about 5.779 hectares
(Buhanguzi Block 2 Plot number 216 land at Kyangwali) is not belonging to
National Forestry Authority as a Central Forest Reserve, but to Bunyoro Kitara
Kingdom as restituted property pursuant Traditional Rulers (Restitution and
Property) Act Cap 247 and that the land title issued on the said land on 1<sup>st</sup>
August 2016 is lawful as well as the subsequent lease title issued on 5<sup>th</sup>
August 2016 to Hoima Sugar LTD for sugar cane development. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Meantime
a businessman called Mr. Zaid Mustapha on 20<sup>th</sup> September 2018 was
issued a land title over an area for approximately 925 hectares of natural
forest (2 km per 6 km) in the name of MZ Agencies in Nyaigugu LC1, Kabwoya Sub
County. In both cases a grader was sent by Hoima Sugar LTD for starting the
clearance of the natural forest, but they were impounded by the Police. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Currently,
the attempt of developing sugar cane plantations at the expense of Bugoma
nature forest is still a threat against conservation efforts and other
developments in eco-tourism. We appreciate that the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom governing
body and the Government of Uganda with a cabinet directive are looking at
political solution to guarantee the preservation of Bugoma Forest and that a
new boundary opening exercise is being ordered to facilitate handling of cases
of disputed land. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The
Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest has a clear message to all
the stakeholders: 1) <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Bugoma Forest must
be protected as it is, no matter where the exact boundaries of the Central
Forest Reserve are or who is the owner of the land; today in 2020 we should
talk about afforestation and not about deforestation, if we wish to control our
health and the climate change</span>; 2) Bugoma Forest and local communities
need development, which can come from tourism and conservation related
investments, which would be compromised by all the threats; 3) <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Local communities need to be part of the
process of development and not victims of the so called “businessmen”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-33688680844162803032020-02-05T06:48:00.000-08:002020-02-05T06:48:01.554-08:00Official Poster Run for Nature 2019 - 31 March 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBVFoluxKL1_TH0pJvKculteYyRCNAXSKQtdpbcH9f0Lfy1x7KESy6fW1gGJhuaWsoqv8rR1qj1NsrB31dE9umfQ1-SzvDMIZKs0O7qJTcZQmA-mg8ORx_7mnxspqyTtJ-WVsrHV8KFcn/s1600/2019+RUN+FOR+NATURE+POSTER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1132" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBVFoluxKL1_TH0pJvKculteYyRCNAXSKQtdpbcH9f0Lfy1x7KESy6fW1gGJhuaWsoqv8rR1qj1NsrB31dE9umfQ1-SzvDMIZKs0O7qJTcZQmA-mg8ORx_7mnxspqyTtJ-WVsrHV8KFcn/s640/2019+RUN+FOR+NATURE+POSTER.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<br />costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-48400656675338680942019-05-02T08:30:00.002-07:002019-05-02T08:30:50.039-07:00PRESS RELEASE – SAVE BUGOMA FOREST CAMPAIGN – 2 MAY 2019<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4cduU-19wJVVvD_zM7lK2xaWkLIDheA1QPUL8AN-EWwOzhtOsOgbLZxyKR-t1bTkqmhYQzuOKaeDdrymyl8Y_hP9inosRRPFgfMr8yDiASNgyPr0DySqPpp2jEOET8_UybntMsd7dBcK/s1600/Save+Bugoma+Forest+Campaign+BANNER+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4cduU-19wJVVvD_zM7lK2xaWkLIDheA1QPUL8AN-EWwOzhtOsOgbLZxyKR-t1bTkqmhYQzuOKaeDdrymyl8Y_hP9inosRRPFgfMr8yDiASNgyPr0DySqPpp2jEOET8_UybntMsd7dBcK/s400/Save+Bugoma+Forest+Campaign+BANNER+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The civil society organizations, the
tourism fraternity, all concerned citizens of Uganda and the whole world are
here to respond to the threats faced by our natural resources, particularly
Bugoma Forest in Kikuube District former Hoima District.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Background<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, with 411
sq km or 41.144 hectares of protected area, is the largest remaining block of
natural tropical forest along the Albertine Rift Valley found between Budongo
and Semliki, therefore playing a great role in preserving the last remaining
wildlife migratory corridors. Bugoma is home to about 500 chimpanzees (10% of
the Ugandan chimpanzee population), making the forest a chimpanzee sanctuary.
Among other primates, Bugoma hosts a population of Ugandan mangabeys, endemic
to only this forest therefore a unique treasure. The bird list consists of 221
recorded species. Bugoma forest biodiversity surveys recorded 224 species of
trees and shrubs which is higher than in any other forest in the region.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzGjELkEhNTtpl9vbD2Fsp4uVN_qckAvzaMEUvveZ5rf3RQ4I3IPNcQZ6KnDGXD86SfhHvLlgvNYj1hkV-bZeO3v6Kxe1teOS1m73KpI700GyAodAZLo7mofoTaLR9LOmMDuAGdso5AJy/s1600/press+conference+2nd+May+speakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzGjELkEhNTtpl9vbD2Fsp4uVN_qckAvzaMEUvveZ5rf3RQ4I3IPNcQZ6KnDGXD86SfhHvLlgvNYj1hkV-bZeO3v6Kxe1teOS1m73KpI700GyAodAZLo7mofoTaLR9LOmMDuAGdso5AJy/s400/press+conference+2nd+May+speakers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Speakers at the press conference 2nd May 2019: Onesmus Mugyenyi, <br />Edison Ashaka, Benedict Ntale. Moderator: Richard Kwere</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">High deforestation rate in Uganda has
caused loss of 63% of forest cover only in the last 3 decades! This causes less
carbon absorption and directly impacts the climate thus contributing to climate
change. Degradation of the environment puts lives of people at stake owing to
reduction of water sources, changing weather patterns and reduction of soil
fertility. It is paramount for the health of all the population to maintain the
existing forest cover. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, in the last few years various
threats are negatively impacting on Bugoma Forest survival and related
investments, particularly:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1. The development of sugar cane
plantations with the opening of Hoima Sugar Works in 2016, located next to the
natural forest, crop which does not match at all with the nature of the forest
habitat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2. The issuing of land titles inside
and outside the protected forest reserve, always on prime forested areas,
causing encroachments with the support of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom officials
and political leaders of Hoima District. Particularly, a businessman called Mr.
Zaid Mustapha; on 20<sup>th</sup> September 2018, he was issued a land title
over an area of approximately 925 hectares of natural forest (2 km per 6 km) in
the name of MZ Agencies. On 14<sup>th</sup> October 2018 a grader was impounded
after having tried to start clearing the said forest. Later on, on 22<sup>nd</sup> November 2018
Mr. Buryahika Stephen - who happens to
be the chairperson LC3 of Kabwoya Sub County, where the forest is located - was
given a land title for 51.45 hectares, also in a contested forested area.
The said people were having meetings in
the communities jointly with Chair Person LC5 of Hoima Mr. Kadir Kirungi
(one meeting was held on 27<sup>th</sup> January 2019), in which they explained
that the interest of the land titles was to clear the natural forest and
develop a sugar cane plantation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3. Since August 2016 a legal battle
has been going on in Masindi High Court, with National Forestry Authority
accusing Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and Hoima Sugar Works of illegally claiming the
Muhangaizima block of Bugoma Forest for about 8.000 hectares. On 1<sup>st</sup>
August 2016 a Freehold Certificate of Title was issued in the name of Omukama
of Bunyoro Kitara and, subsequently, the leasehold was issued to Hoima Sugar
Factory Limited. This court case ended on 25<sup>th</sup> April 2019 with the
victory of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and Hoima Sugar Works, who obtained
recognition of their legal ownership of part of Bugoma Forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We would like to say that the mandate
to judge over degazzetting a central forest reserve can only be vested in the
Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, not in any Court. We also condemn the
fact that a political decision over the future of important biodiversity
resources was left for four years to the judiciary. Political leaders didn’t
intervene to resolve the matter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Insecurity of land tenure over Bugoma
Forest and insecurity of the use of the land can only negatively affect the
economic development in the area, the investment climate and the development of
eco-tourism activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">- Other challenges are the illegal
logging and the prospective oil infrastructural development which will affect
Bugoma Forest, including oil roads development, pipeline and refinery.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y99d2khTZJgsgaTlC0yACv7N7Gnmf2rNMBEeLdjnb_y85h_2r3ZCyR5YNHvfXg2fL4gSjezIB0Ml__Ol2TTK9jsYw0nDqQoIJQ_J0yatwvtmlpRGI91jZvszTkPllMoqjweHO29LS9JB/s1600/HSW+grader+2+may+second.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y99d2khTZJgsgaTlC0yACv7N7Gnmf2rNMBEeLdjnb_y85h_2r3ZCyR5YNHvfXg2fL4gSjezIB0Ml__Ol2TTK9jsYw0nDqQoIJQ_J0yatwvtmlpRGI91jZvszTkPllMoqjweHO29LS9JB/s400/HSW+grader+2+may+second.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hoima Sugar Works deployed 2 graders on 1st May 2019 to start clearing Bugoma Forest.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What is at stake?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
conservation of Bugoma Forest in all its integrity is paramount for the
livelihood of the local farmers’ communities, who are generally in support of
the conservation as it is shown by the appeal they made in March 2019 when
various local leaders signed the Petition to Ministry of Environment to halt
the clearing of Bugoma Forest for sugar cane. Destruction and change in the use
of the habitat will affect the climate, the water sources, the whole economy of
the area, while in particular sugar cane will further degrade the area and
increase humans / wildlife conflicts, as well as adversely affecting the soil
and impoverishing local communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
current development and investments in eco-tourism activities and tourist
accommodation (Bugoma Jungle Lodge, new lodge in Mwera) in Bugoma Forest will
be compromised by the destruction of the habitat and the poor image of Bugoma
forest resulting from lack of rule of law. Investors in eco-tourism and
conservation have much to complain about. Eco-tourism development started only
in 2016 and is bringing revenues for about 20.000.000 UGX to National Forestry
Authority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
chimpanzee and Ugandan mangabeys population of Bugoma Forest will be negatively
affected, contributing to a poor image of Uganda in the world, as these species
are internationally recognized as well as the importance of Bugoma Forest.
Chimpanzee and mangabeys conservation projects are on-going with the objective
to start new eco-tourism activities, which will increase revenues to the
government, to the communities through sharing and more job opportunities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 4.75pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
conservation efforts by many organizations in and around Bugoma Forest, having
various projects in tree – planting, farmers support, socio – economic supports
to vulnerable communities including refugees in the area will be frustrated by
a clear set back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
presence of a very dangerous sugar cane lobby, which attracted the favours of
some local leaders and institutions (but certainly not the support of the
people) and feels no objection in attacking a natural habitat of international
biodiversity importance, will always be a threat to other positive investments
in the area, investments that could create more job opportunities in a very
poor socio-economic region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
degradation in the area with the prospected loss of part of the forest will
trigger further escalation of degradation, further loss of habitat and
endangering the biodiversity, moreover increasing the cases of all the
illegalities that affected Bugoma Forest. This factor is crucial.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 4.75pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
game played by various actors saying that Bugoma Forest has no clear boundaries,
with the intention to grab both the protected forest and any other private
forest does not help the solution of the problem, which is the preservation of
the environment and its economic value. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In
the end Uganda will lose credibility in the respect and implementation of
International Conventions as mentioned above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CDo_Kthw1blx9ywcmcSXCoR0MYJOp-AuBTp49II2pRlv7C2DWK2Q8WzPLG6iC-PW1Hg4n-ZUcD-f-Vy34G2bqrw4x1wE6wNXS3kVqHh1oa7nIwWh_gZl0qxsfYBZbjZkiYZyZ9YH3n3V/s1600/HSW+grader+2+May+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CDo_Kthw1blx9ywcmcSXCoR0MYJOp-AuBTp49II2pRlv7C2DWK2Q8WzPLG6iC-PW1Hg4n-ZUcD-f-Vy34G2bqrw4x1wE6wNXS3kVqHh1oa7nIwWh_gZl0qxsfYBZbjZkiYZyZ9YH3n3V/s400/HSW+grader+2+May+2019.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Recommendations<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bugoma
Forest must be protected as it is, no matter where the exact boundaries are. An
appeal must be made against the ruling of Masindi High Court with immediate
effect to avoid and halt any forest’s clearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 4.75pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: 7.1pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bugoma
forest and local communities need development, which can be an opportunity when
there is certainty of land use and ownership by the government of Uganda. The
government of Uganda must re-establish its ownership of the entire central
forest reserve without “if” and without “but”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
local communities and their leaders should be part of the process of
development and not victims of the intimidations by the sugar cane lobby and
their connections. National Forestry Authority must commit itself in the
development of eco-tourism and income –sharing with communities, encouraging
stakeholders to invest more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
Government of Uganda should immediate intervene to reassure the protection of
Bugoma forest and to reassure the investments in eco-tourism and in
accommodation in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sugar
cane development should not take place at the expense of natural resources.
There is enough land in Bunyoro to accommodate sugar cane, without destroying
vital natural resources. Hoima Sugar Works should desist from threatening
Bugoma Forest eco-system and should desist from using local institutions and
leaders to push forward its interests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Uganda
should respect the international conventions and protocols on environmental
conservation to which the country is signatory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With the only objective to work on
implementing these recommendation, to sensitize the public and the media, to
inform the international and national communities about the dramatic danger
behind the threats to Bugoma Forest, a coalition campaign is formed and launched
under the name “Save Bugoma Forest Campaign”, which is the united efforts of
all the organizations and associations of the conservation sector as well as
the private and tourism sector.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">SAVE
BUGOMA FOREST CAMPAIGN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">E-mail: <a href="mailto:savebugoma@gmail.com">savebugoma@gmail.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Organizations subscribing: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.75pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 4.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Uganda Tourism Association,
Association of Uganda Tour Operators, Association of Uganda Tour Guides,
Association of Uganda Travel Agents, Uganda Jungle Lodges Ltd, Rosaline Place
LTD, Destination Jungle Ltd, NGO Uganda Coalition, Association for the
Conservation of Bugoma Forest, Association of Scouts of Uganda, Chimpanzee
Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Joint Energy and Environment Projects
(JEEP), Tree Talk Plus, Care International, ACODE, Youth Leading Environment
Change (YLEC), Bugoma Chimpanzee Project, Eco-trust, NAPE.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-21762047041070536612019-03-16T11:32:00.001-07:002019-03-16T11:32:41.363-07:00No way for forest encroachment: Run for Nature 2019<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest is organizing this third
edition of the annual Run for Nature on 31st March 2019, having the objective to continue the
struggle to sensitize the public over urgent environmental topics and as a fund
raising for the projects of the Association.</span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJeY4DgFXpXsbUEzBux0FUibG8LFv6DigTy4fcCoQTn7wWDvaaypyukBDoryGBVeB5TUsQBUJYf4fsOERTN4MChG8uLmCRThYeK0GYK2uqT2HCaL0tzlNilcylYsdJ8O6utN9ozoBUqIs/s1600/Panel+picture+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="1008" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJeY4DgFXpXsbUEzBux0FUibG8LFv6DigTy4fcCoQTn7wWDvaaypyukBDoryGBVeB5TUsQBUJYf4fsOERTN4MChG8uLmCRThYeK0GYK2uqT2HCaL0tzlNilcylYsdJ8O6utN9ozoBUqIs/s400/Panel+picture+2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Press conference of 15th March 2019, Uganda Museum</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 57.3pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have been working all these years,
since the start in 2014 at the time of the Bugoma Forest Conservation Campaign,
to understand and fight all the causes of the degradation of Bugoma Forest in
Hoima District. With its 411 sq km of protected area, Bugoma Forest is home to
endangered species like the chimpanzees and the Ugandan mangabeys, as well as
endemic species of birds. We opened the nursery bed of indigenous tree species
that helped many farmers in the area of Kabwoya sub-County (Igwanjura and
Kimbugo Parishes) to plant trees and protect water sources. On 21<sup>st</sup>
March 2017 in the occasion of the International Day of Forest our Association
launched the ultimatum against illegal loggers and started the project of the “Chimp
T-RAP patrol”, a unit of people working to monitor and discover illegalities in
the protected reserve. The success of the first 2 years of this project is
clear: illegal logging decreased by probably more than 60%. This results was
possible thanks to the continuous involvement of communities and their leaders
in the area and thanks to a strong collaboration with the staff of the National
Forestry Authority. Our team leader risked his life in two occasions, attacked
by illegal loggers, but he never gave up and still leads the team. No media, no
television gave any tribute to these young people coming from a poor community,
spending their life to protect the forest, never attempted by any corruption. That
is why we remember them now here and even today they are in the forest
patrolling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DrSij1XcwqTLyflYvTKNOB8W451RT_kcygQtJ2jswi4-0lJq0P04tqlGk3VRppyZP9YlGZO0RVqA-XCgWpwBvY6SAhe1Y_e51MZ2bxcYsufO5cc3SjqOLSoBH5g3qIa7KA4N_E7uYiPd/s1600/dr+Joshua+Chimp+Trust.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DrSij1XcwqTLyflYvTKNOB8W451RT_kcygQtJ2jswi4-0lJq0P04tqlGk3VRppyZP9YlGZO0RVqA-XCgWpwBvY6SAhe1Y_e51MZ2bxcYsufO5cc3SjqOLSoBH5g3qIa7KA4N_E7uYiPd/s400/dr+Joshua+Chimp+Trust.jpeg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Joshua Rukundo, Chimpanzee Sanctuary <br />& Wildlife Conservation Trust</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
hope was that Bugoma Forest could become a different place than an open
carpentry: a place for conservation of the biodiversity, for eco-tourism
development, for new opportunities. In 2019 we are moving further on the side
of the local communities, listening to their needs through their associations
and organizations. They are the ones demanding for a better development in the
area. We are now preparing the project for the dissemination of agro-forestry
practices and the environmental education for the youth in the State Schools of
Kisaaru and Nsozi. This will help addressing the problems of the co-existence
between farming and the presence of a tropical forest. It is clear since 2016
that sugar cane expansion cannot bring development in the area: on the contrary
it would bring soil depletion, environmental degradation and human
impoverishment. Eco-tourism activities have also started on a low scale since
2016, organized by National Forestry Authority and the presence of newly open
Bugoma Jungle Lodge is helping the process. However, much more should be done
to organize eco-tourism activities that will attract more tourism in the
forest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Run
for Nature is also this: we run together, different people from different
sectors, as we also try to have a dialogue and build up a future. We take this
opportunity to call the institutions of the environment, the tourism and
wildlife to talk and come to better joint solutions for the protection of
forests and the endangered species like the chimpanzees and Ugandan mangabeys. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 24px; margin-right: 0.2pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 57.3pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We chose the date of 15<sup>th</sup> March 2019 for our launch because today is taking place the biggest mobilization in the world against climate change. Today is “Friday for Future”, the movement of the students, who are meeting in 98 countries all over the world for 1325 events. This movement was initiated by young Swedish student Greta Thunberg, who on 20<sup>th</sup> August 2018 started to protest in front of the Swedish Parliament, demanding urgent actions to fight the climate crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 24px; margin-right: 0.2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With Run for Nature we run together to demand actions and responses against climate change: first of all, forest protection and restoration.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Run for Nature</b> will take
place on 31<sup>st</sup> March 2019 at 7 am from Rivonia Hotel in Robert Mugabe
Road, Mbuya. The run is open for the registration of 5 km and 10 km for the
categories of individuals, corporates and students. The Registration Points are
open at National Forestry Authority, at the Association of Uganda Tour
Operators, at Café Pap in Parliament Avenue and at our Association premises. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year the partnership
for the Run once again bring together conservation, environment and tourism
sector. Our main partners are the National Forestry Authority, which initiated
the Run with us from the first edition; National Environmental Management
Authority (NEMA); Uganda Tourism Board (UTB); Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The tourism sector is represented by the umbrella Uganda Tourism Association
(UTA) and by their different associations: Association of Uganda Tour Operators
(AUTO), Uganda Association of Travel Agents (TUGATA), Uganda Association of
Tour Guides (USAGA). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our partnership proceeds
with the conservation organizations, like the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife
Conservation Trust. The Slow Food Uganda is also our traditional partner thanks
to their work in sustainable agriculture, the protection of traditional and
healthy food and knowledge. This year we are also partnering with Joint Energy
and Environment Projects (JEEP) with whom the Association is intending to
develop the project of the agro-forestry. The Scouts of Uganda are partnering
with us, as they represent the young generations of students and youth, who
through the scouts are educated to the love of nature and the active engagement
in its protection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year the run will also
involve schools and young students, because it is necessary that the message of
working together for reversing the environmental crisis starts from the new
generations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need to thank all our
sponsors because they believed in us and in our projects. We thank Cassia Lodge
of Busiga Hill for renewing the sponsorship; Pakuba Lodge of Murchison Falls
National Park; Rivonia Hotel in Mbuya where the event will start; Orient Bank;
Stirling construction company; 2 Friends Beach Hotel of Entebbe; Café Pap for
renewing partnership once again; Tarpo Industries and Daniel Choudry Sales
Institute.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A special thanks to the
Embassy of Italy and HE the Italian Ambassador for giving the patronage to the
event.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 57.3pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cases of land titles
over Bugoma natural forest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DnwplioNjx1yQkka7rAqT6Vb0Om8xlDkGtbUq8Clev0piq1PhjUc1DDkeQ7IOx1FNBZ57yM0NCuNCGtddaIeRzTKnFZOIfxWceKPNtU-HSHt-Hp0lBssXj9O9nWkrNUAXIwPIbPvQWoK/s1600/Mustapha+Zaid+pic+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="1008" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DnwplioNjx1yQkka7rAqT6Vb0Om8xlDkGtbUq8Clev0piq1PhjUc1DDkeQ7IOx1FNBZ57yM0NCuNCGtddaIeRzTKnFZOIfxWceKPNtU-HSHt-Hp0lBssXj9O9nWkrNUAXIwPIbPvQWoK/s640/Mustapha+Zaid+pic+1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The press conference address the case of the land title of Mr. Mustapha Zaid in Bugoma natural forest.</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 57.3pt;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
year the topic of Run for Nature is: “No way for forest encroachment”. We would like to bring the attention of the media to the case
of land titles given in the natural forest. If not stopped, the worst
encroachment will take place. Our patrol discovered in May 2018 an encroachment
of Bugoma Forest in the area of Nyaigugu LC1, Kabwoya Sub County. It was later
on found that a businessman called Mr. Zaid Mustapha on 20<sup>th</sup>
September was issued a land title over the said area for approximately 925
hectares of natural forest (2 km per 6 km) in the name of MZ Agencies. On 14<sup>th</sup>
October 2018 a grader was impounded after having tried to start clearing the
forest. Later on, on 22<sup>nd</sup>
November Mr. Buryahika Stephen who is
the chairperson LC3 of Kabwoya Sub County (where the forest is located) was
given a land title for 51.45 hectares, also in the contested forested area.
The said people were having meetings in
the communities jointly with Chair Person LC5 of Hoima Mr. Kadir Kirungi
(one meeting was on 27<sup>th</sup> January 2019) in which they explained that
the interest of the land titles was to clear the natural forest and develop a
sugar cane plantation where a number of jobless people would have benefited
getting jobs. This area has always been protected by National Forestry
Authority even though it is not within the legal boundaries of the Central
Forest Reserve.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-right: .2pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bunyoro
Kitara Kingdom with a statement by Mr. John Musungu is also claiming that the
said land belongs to the Kingdom and not to private businessmen. It is not
clear whether the Kingdom claims the land for conservation or for similar interest
in sugar cane plantation like the others. It is known that the area under
dispute is where “Endaki z’amukama Kabalega” are situated, where Kingdom
performs annual cultural norms; so we believe that the Kingdom has also a
cultural interest in the preservation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The question are: who
allowed some individuals to acquire a big portion of natural Bugoma Forest and
at the expense of the communities? How much was the transaction, considering
the value of land in the area? Why political leaders still believe that sugar
cane can be a solution for development in replacing a natural forest? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our Association wrote to
World Wild Fund to investigate over the matter. We also wrote to the Minister
of Land and Land Commission with letter dated 25<sup>th</sup> February to demand
the cancellation of land titles issued on Bugoma Forest<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest urges all stakeholders,
political leaders, the conservation agencies, the tourism sector as a whole to
intervene for the ultimate protection of Bugoma Forest. We ask the media houses
to play their role and inform the public about this threat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: .2pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Bugoma
Forest must be protected as it is, no matter where the exact boundaries of the
Central Forest Reserve are. Today we should talk about afforestation and not
about deforestation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: .2pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Bugoma Forest and local
communities need development, which can also come from tourism and conservation
related investments and this would be compromised by the continuation of these
threats in conservation and by the biggest encroachment in history, for about
976 hectares of land.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: .2pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">The
Local communities need to be part of the process of development and not victims
of the so called businessmen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .2pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We
will run on 31<sup>st</sup> of March to say no way for forest encroachment, no
way for climate warming, no way for Mustapha Zaid to destroy 925 hectares of
natural forest for sugar cane.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-23871603634391026782018-03-14T12:39:00.000-07:002018-03-14T12:39:00.518-07:00Flyer Run for Nature 25th March 2018 by Association for Conservation of Bugoma Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ifsxnLQJNX9ywXJ-vXPVD2x7X0QipBBLtd4-P1Jne_GPJEmSFtaVHXwmb30kzICEp94GYSiMGzX9dh_oqsZ9QSpmU4CTMUM1VYes2lCGHK2Ck885Zj6lZvHzJqNp8qSk_XATDYDNXW0b/s1600/RUN+FOR+NATURE+POSTER+jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1132" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ifsxnLQJNX9ywXJ-vXPVD2x7X0QipBBLtd4-P1Jne_GPJEmSFtaVHXwmb30kzICEp94GYSiMGzX9dh_oqsZ9QSpmU4CTMUM1VYes2lCGHK2Ck885Zj6lZvHzJqNp8qSk_XATDYDNXW0b/s640/RUN+FOR+NATURE+POSTER+jpeg.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-90066831569438599982018-03-14T12:36:00.000-07:002018-03-14T12:36:04.146-07:00PRESS RELEASE LAUNCH OF RUN FOR NATURE 2018 – 13 MARCH 2018<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We invite the media houses to this
press conference for the launch of the second edition of Run for Nature in
2018, organized by the Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest on 25<sup>th</sup>
March, in the recurrence of the International Day of Forests which is on 21<sup>st</sup>
March.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgbAkhqAn0ZOrhhhS-9oopz_OFiBgMdH8pi6KAkcr5Msg9fC_vDgr3Y2PPYDkRKEYFHSsRlfFngyLBCLCmOI_wurGay5pU3Mc7K31FySHabBc5O1l-YauMqA612-9KH4N6xdorpA-T7lh/s1600/RUN+FOR+NATURE+LOGO+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1563" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgbAkhqAn0ZOrhhhS-9oopz_OFiBgMdH8pi6KAkcr5Msg9fC_vDgr3Y2PPYDkRKEYFHSsRlfFngyLBCLCmOI_wurGay5pU3Mc7K31FySHabBc5O1l-YauMqA612-9KH4N6xdorpA-T7lh/s320/RUN+FOR+NATURE+LOGO+2018.jpg" title="Run for Nature 2018" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Background
about Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest (ACBF)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest (ACBF) is an environmental
membership association, not for profit, registered in 2016 in Uganda (Hoima
District), with the main aim of helping the protection and conservation of
Bugoma Central Forest Reserve and surrounding areas in Hoima District. The
Association is built on the experience of the Bugoma Forest Conservation
Campaign which was launched in 2014 and among other activities we organized the
first edition of Run for Nature in September 2014, when about 220 people run.
The proceed of the Run was invested in a tree planting project of 3 acres
inside Bugoma Forest reserve in partnership with National Forestry Authority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Association meets every year at
the Annual General Meeting where members elect the governing body or Executive
Board. The current chair person of the Executive Board is Mr. Costantino
Tessarin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The association relies on donations,
sponsors of good will for meeting the costs of the activities and for this
reason we have a fund raising campaign called “The chimpanzee go!” whereby
handicraft items and t-shirts are sold at different selling point (particularly
in the properties of Uganda Jungle Lodges) and the proceeds go to the
Association. We also have an Italian cell based in Bologna which operates as a
point of sensitization and collection of donations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This year the
second edition of Run for Nature has the objective of providing funds for the
current main activities of the Association. We believe in the “magic of doing”
and not in the “magic of talking”: as others talk but don’t do, us we are doing
concrete things and we do it with very limited resources.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Specifically the projects we need to
support are the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #215228; font-family: "GothamBold","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: GothamBold; mso-fareast-font-family: GothamBold;">1)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #215228; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Management of the public nursery bed. </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Open in</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> July 2016,
located in Nyakafunjo (Kimbuga Parish),
Kabwoya Sub-County (Hoima District), it provides free indigenous tree species to the community around Bugoma forest where
need is great. About 20 families have benefited for more than 7.000 trees in
exchange with our monitoring, training on good practices, attention to
protection of water strings and agroforestry. The
nursery is also serving as the basis for the
prospective tree – planting projects in the
area. The nursery is employing 3 people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisBL4E4kjHtXWk-yj4tequDPAELIMs8v6LYUuBlYVGSg_YpLAM1S8l5d9C6zbkuLvjTsf9Thxbv8n2T-_xDu2CchUBQjDAajRjbTrYWBA7W47LwFA7M8IZMEhwncElJG6HsyS82nc2jZO/s1600/chimp+t-rap+april+2017+third.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="1080" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisBL4E4kjHtXWk-yj4tequDPAELIMs8v6LYUuBlYVGSg_YpLAM1S8l5d9C6zbkuLvjTsf9Thxbv8n2T-_xDu2CchUBQjDAajRjbTrYWBA7W47LwFA7M8IZMEhwncElJG6HsyS82nc2jZO/s400/chimp+t-rap+april+2017+third.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #215228; font-family: "GothamBold","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: GothamBold; mso-fareast-font-family: GothamBold;">2)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #215228; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Chimp T-RAP Private Patrol. </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This is a</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> private patrol project started
in March 2017 on the occasion of the celebrations
of last year International Day of Forests which was done in Mwera eco-tourist
site in Bugoma Forest. A team of 5 people is enrolled under the Association to
support the protection of the forest in
collaboration with the staff of National
Forestry Authority, which leads to proper observation in the forest and gain intelligence of the encroachers and any illegality. This project is very
crucial, due to lack of sufficient patrolling staff from the government. The
patrol made steps in tackling part of the recurrent illegal logging in Bugoma
Forest. Some resources were also allocated for legal support for the cases open
at Hoima Police Station, some concerning attacks (on 21<sup>th</sup> July 2017
and 3<sup>rd</sup> November 2017) and threatening violence against our team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #215228; font-family: "GothamBold","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: GothamBold; mso-fareast-font-family: GothamBold;">3)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #215228; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sensitization programme in schools. </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Association is
planning to start a sensitization programme with 3 primary schools in the area
(Kisaru Primary School,</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Kaseeta Primary School, and Nsoozi Primary School), schools
located in the communities around Bugoma Central Forest Reserve. The programme
has the objective to prepare activities with
children to explain forest biodiversity,
conservation and ecotourism. Many of these children are from families of
illegal loggers or labourers of illegal loggers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Brief
about Bugoma Central Forest Reserve</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 58.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bugoma forest
in Hoima District, with 411 sq km of extension, located alongside the
escarpment of Lake Albert basin, was rated 12 out of 65 forests surveyed in
Uganda for biodiversity importance by Uganda Forest Department in 2002. From a
scientific survey carried out in 2010, it is estimated that in Bugoma Forest
there are many animals, birds species and plants to be protected and that it is
also important because is one of the last remaining forests along the wildlife
migratory corridor of the Lake Albert region, between the Murchison Falls
Conservation Area (in the North) and the Semliki reserve (in the South). Bugoma
counts a record of 267 species of trees, 18 mammals, 278 butterflies, 221 birds
species. Among the mammals, the primates are abundant, with about 580 endemic
and endangered chimpanzees, the endemic Ugandan mangabey, a large number of
black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys. The Ugandan mangabey
only remains present in Bugoma, as it disappeared from other forests in the
region. Among other animals, Bugoma hosts a small population of bush elephants,
golden cats, side-striped jackals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bugoma forest is a huge potential
tourist destination along the Rift Valley circuit, yet a forgotten treasure of
Uganda. Only the development of an organized “Ugandan mangabey trekking” could
bring consistent revenues from tourism to the Government of Uganda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 58.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">However, there
are many and systemic obstacles in the protection of Bugoma Forest. First of
all, the natural boundary of the protected reserve let the forest be exposed to
all sort of pressure in an area which is becoming highly populated and
recurrently invaded by refugees and migrants. Indeed common crimes in the
forest are occurring like: encroachment for farming or for charcoal burning;
encroachment for cattle rearing with bush fire clearing; illegal logging of
hard wood is huge threat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Another set of obstacles is the
political bias against the protection of the forest, by both local politicians
backing encroachers and by the Bunyoro Kingdom establishment, who even
attempted to clear the protected reserve back in 2016 and a court case is still
open in Masindi against the National Forestry Authority. It is common to hear local politicians saying
that the “forest is overgrowing in people’s land” and that “Police should stop
arresting loggers”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The body mandated to protect the
forest, National Forestry Authority, is not sufficiently staffed and organized
for this hard task, leaving the forest often unprotected, which requires more
concerted efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Finally, in the Police of Hoima we
noticed resistance in taking seriously or following up properly cases related
to illegal logging and environmental crimes. For example, a huge crime like a
mob attack to a forest patrol occurred on 3<sup>rd</sup> November 2017 with a
policeman almost killed (Mr. Eric Mbaia) and the case up to date is not been
followed up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Another threat to the survival of
Bugoma Forest is the prospective development of critical oil roads exactly
inside and through the forest, while the oil refinery is planned to be built
just on the North of the reserve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 58.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Therefore the
intervention and partnership with civil society and private organizations is
and will be vital for the protection of the forest. The situation on the ground
confirms the necessity to keep our project of the private patrol in cooperation
with National Forestry Authority and the necessity to work more on the ground
involving local communities in an organized manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Presentation
of Run for Nature 2018: 25<sup>th</sup> March 2018 under the theme “Stop
Abusing the Planet”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 58.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Run for Nature
2018 is the second edition of what we believe is the major environmental sport
event taking place in Kampala, having the objective to sensitize over the
forestry crisis in the world and to fund raise specifically for the project of
the Association.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The event will take place on <b><u>SUNDAY 25<sup>th</sup> March 2018 at 7.00
am</u> </b>and<b> </b>the venue is Plot 2B,
Robert Mugabe Road Kinawataka – Mbuya Hill , Kampala (office of Destination
Jungle Limited and head office of the Association for the Conservation of
Bugoma Forest).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The day was chosen in concomitance
with the International Day of Forest on 21<sup>st</sup> March.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 58.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The theme of
this year Run is “<b>Stop abusing the
planet</b>”: we will run for nature, believing that all of us, as individuals
and as a society, should be entirely taking up the responsibility of the impact
of our life style for the survival of our planet, which is suffering our abuses
when we clear forests, we pollute air, water and the soil, we happily waste garbage
and we invade all the environment, even those habitats which we should leave
for other species to enjoy. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 58.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Participants in
the Run can register for<b> </b>5
kilometers and 10 kilometers run with prizes in different categories (women,
men and corporate). The amount of the prizes is 1.600.000 UGX. Registration fee
is 40.000 UGX for individuals and 250.000 UGX for corporate which allows 4
people to participate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Registration points will be at the
office of Destination Jungle, at Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO), at
National Forestry Authority and at the Café Pap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the run package participants will
receive the official green t-shirt, thanks also to the support of Asiatic Sports.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Partners
and sponsors of Run For Nature 2018<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 58.3pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The target of Run for Nature is to raise a
contribution of 10.000.000 UGX for the projects of the Association. This will
be possible thanks to the mobilisation of partners, sponsors and Medias in the
organization and in the registration. We are targeting participation by about
300 people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 58.3pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">During the run
and after partners of Run for Nature will have the chance to display their
reasons. The National Forestry Authority will run to advocate for more
political attention and more resources for the forestry sector. Slow Food
Uganda invites people to have a special healthy lunch, after the run, at<b><span style="color: #984806;"> </span></b>Mulongo
Catering Restaurant in Nsambya organized by the Slow Food Chefs Alliance Uganda
with a fee of 25.000 UGX</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. Green Bio Energy (Briketti) will display alternative
eco-friendly charcoal and it is amazing that after so many years of this
friendly alternative the government and the public did not embrace the cause of
alternative charcoal, but insists in extracting charcoal from forests like
Bugoma. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Association of Uganda Tour Operators will bring its members in the run
and will run remembering that the protection of the forests and the environment
is also in line with the promotion of eco-tourism as a key income resource for
the country. The Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Trust will also be present to bring
the cause for survival of the endangered chimpanzees of Bugoma forest and
Uganda as a whole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Uganda Scouts Association will run with the youth who are the future of
Uganda, a young generation which is well educated to the civil responsibility
and committed to “leave the world a bit better than the way it was found” (as
the founder Sir Baden Powell said in his last speech to the scouts of the world).
The scouts will also help in the logistic of the run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 58.3pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A special thank to the Embassy of Italy and to the
Ambassador H.E. Domenico Fornara for supporting the Run for Nature with the
patronage of the Embassy of Italy. We are honoured that our environmental
caused is embraced by the diplomatic representation of Italy in Uganda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 58.3pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We would like to thank all the sponsors who made
possible Run for Nature 2018. We thank them particularly because not many are
committed in supporting environmental causes like our and this is encouraging. We
thank Cassia Lodge, Cafe Pap, Highland Water, Asiatic Sports, Destination Jungle,
Uganda Jungle Lodges, Tarpo Industries and Aerolink Uganda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-16116018824314226302017-05-16T02:27:00.004-07:002017-05-16T02:30:11.373-07:00The Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest launched the first private patrol program in Bugoma Forest in March 2017<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">The Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest (ACBF) in
2017 started important projects in its effort to continue activities for the
conservation of Bugoma Forest and the chimpanzees in Hoima District.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">Particularly on 21<sup>st</sup> March 2017 in the occasion of
the International Day of Forests which was organised by the Association and celebrated
in Mwera Eco-tourist site of Bugoma, it was
launched the first program of the private patrol to help National Forest
Authority in monitoring and curbing illegal activities. Especially from 2016 it
was recorded a rampant escalation in illegal logging for hard timber (mahogany);
illegal cattle grazing which lead to burning of large extensions of forest for
pastures; and huge encroachment of a protected areas for agriculture. Certainly
the conservation level was negatively affected by the intention by Bunyoro
Kitara Kingdom to give away 30% of the forest for sugar plantation in favor of
the investor Hoima Sugar Works. The matter seems being blocked to date, but the
destruction which took place is still burning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJXhnbdTZ0Atan8Sc3zRHShlV_ArSD0j-4dX4BvZPOLkZzzLQvSnxr6qr9wuBUeJBtdzx_xbt4ASCwqPOOhYeZTPhEvXrOGfjPRzaviM8o9wEWHte0nNte0oxhmikvG1rRvzl_NKNIjPd/s1600/chimp+t-rap+april+2017+first.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJXhnbdTZ0Atan8Sc3zRHShlV_ArSD0j-4dX4BvZPOLkZzzLQvSnxr6qr9wuBUeJBtdzx_xbt4ASCwqPOOhYeZTPhEvXrOGfjPRzaviM8o9wEWHte0nNte0oxhmikvG1rRvzl_NKNIjPd/s400/chimp+t-rap+april+2017+first.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Chimp T-RAP Patrol team in April 2017</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">Therefore, the Association took the decision to enter into
action with a team of five people paid under the project “Chimp T-RAP Patrol”. From
1<sup>st</sup> April our team is regularly providing patrol and gaining
intelligence which is already bringing positive results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Another
project which is on and crucial in our efforts is the development of the public
nursery bed started in 2016<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a> which is providing indigenous
seedlings and tropical trees to those institutions and farmers interested to
make contract to extend their tree cover for purpose of Agroforestry and the protection
of water sources. The nursery is the only current relevant indigenous tree
nursery found in the Bugoma Forest surrounding areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Between
2016 and 2017 eco-tourist activities were initiated and promoted in Bugoma
Forest, particularly targeting to see the endemic Ugandan Mangabeys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">It
came to our attention that UNRA is planning to develop heavy traffic tarmac
roads inside Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, including the Mwera –Kaseeta road which
is the heart of eco-tourism and biodiversity. The pressure group of the
Association is working on having the concern tabled at the relevant
institutions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;">The Association is having its second Annual General Meeting
on Friday 26<sup>th</sup> May 2017</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">
at the office in Robert Mugabe Plot 2B Kinawataka-Mbuya, Kampala at 3:00PM, where
corporate and individual members will elect the new board and discuss the way
forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You can support the Association by becoming a
member, by making a donation or buying the specially made items under the
Chimpanzee Go” fundraising initiative</span>costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-10214475782571249382016-08-26T09:40:00.001-07:002016-08-27T02:40:49.077-07:00PRESS RELEASE – 26 TH AUGUST 2016 BUGOMA FOREST UNDER THREAT: THE BIGGEST ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest expresses concern over the
increasing insecurity in Bugoma Central Forest Reserve and the continuous
threat of destruction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On
Sunday 21<sup>st</sup> August 2016 a group of about 300 people led by a
surveyor entered Bugoma natural forest claiming to be opening the boundaries of
the land for Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, according to a title issued inside the
protected reserve. The activity started in Nyakatete village from Kaseeta
moving towards Nyakatete in Nsozi. By Wednesday they have cleared a length of
about six kilometers that are ten metres wide, using chainsaws cutting
everything including big mature natural forest trees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
area is well known to be the habitat of the internationally endangered and
protected chimpanzees, plus endemic Ugandan Mangabeys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
National Forestry Authority responded on Thursday 25<sup>th</sup> August (after
4 days) by sending a police enforcement of three pick up and 20 policemen of
the Environmental Protection Police Unit, who stopped the activity of clearing;
however the police force withdrew on Friday and clearing restarted. On 23<sup>rd</sup>
August the National Forestry Authority sent a communication to the Commissioner
Land Registration, Ministry of Land Housing and Urban Development requesting to
cancel the illegal Freehold Certificate of Title issued in the name of Omukama
of Bunyoro Kitara and, subsequently, the leasehold issued to Hoima Sugar
Factory Limited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
affected area is a large portion of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve, the
Muhangaizima block for about 8.000 hectares. Considering that there are less
than 5.000 chimpanzees left in Uganda (of which about 500 are believed to be in
Bugoma Forest) and considering the huge amount of natural rain tropical forest
under threat of destruction, this is the biggest environmental disaster in
Uganda for many decades and possibly at international level. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As
a result of the escalation of insecurity and destruction, eco-tourism
activities in Bugoma have been halted and nature walks cancelled, with losses
for the State. Tourism is one of the top priorities for the Government of
Uganda, while sugar cane expansion is not and deforestation implies losses of
potential tourist attractions. Meantime, there is an escalation of illegal
logging as the patrol by National Forestry Authority is no longer in place for
security concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On
23<sup>rd</sup> August the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon.
Ephraim Kamuntu, wrote a communication to Ministry of Water and Environment,
informing that a petition signed by 105 representatives of tour operators from
the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) requested for urgent
interventions to protect Bugoma Forest, the investments in eco-tourism and
tourist accommodation. In the letter, the Minister says that “the reserve is
one of the few remaining habitats and migratory routes for the endangered
chimpanzees and other key wildlife species”, therefore requesting the urgent
intervention of the Ministry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We
kindly urge all stakeholders involved to act responsibly, put into
consideration that the forest is a public and international matter, which
largely affects the future of the tourism sector as well as the local
communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-73979848308681194402016-06-20T03:20:00.003-07:002016-06-20T03:20:44.433-07:00PRESS RELEASE – BUGOMA FOREST GIVE AWAY – 20 TH JUNE 2016<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The
Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest, Uganda Wildlife Society,
Uganda Society, Destination Jungle LTD, Uganda Jungle Lodges LTD are expressing
their concern and the condemnation over the current attempt of giving away a
relevant block of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in Hoima District.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">An
organized group of people has tried to encroach on the central part of the
forest, Muhangaizima block claiming a total of 8.000 hectares of tropical
forest under the mandate of the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom. The intention is to
grade down the forest for the purpose of establishing sugar cane plantation.
This situation is ongoing since February 2016 and the pressure is mounting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
affected area is the central part of the gazetted Bugoma Forest, which means
that encroaching is equal to compromise the survival of Bugoma Forest as a
whole. Bugoma Forest is one of the most important forests in Uganda for
biodiversity, which is explained in the geography of the Alberetine Rift
Valley, crucial for the development of tourism in Uganda. It is home to the
endangered and internationally protected chimpanzees; it is home to a large
number of primates’ species like the endemic Ugandan mangabeys and it is a
birding destination. To destroy the forest is equal to destroy as well the
right of the wildlife and birds to survive. There are only less than 5.000
chimpanzees remaining in Uganda of which about 500 are believed to live in
Bugoma forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest has started in 2014 an
enrichment tree-planting project for the regeneration of degraded areas. Even
this project is under the target of the encroachers and the project cannot be
currently accessed, leading to loss of the resources invested from the work of
the association in collaboration with the CFM group of Kyangwali.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On
17<sup>th</sup> April 2016 a group of 10 people from Kisaru Trading Center
attacked 4 staff of National Forestry Authority with pangas and iron bars,
seriously injuring them as they were on patrol during the day near Rwera site.
Phone calls and intimidations are made daily to the personnel of the State, the
Police, the National Forestry Authority who are doing their best to carry out
their duties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At
the beginning of 2016 eco-tourism activities have started in the forest at
Rwera, near the area which is currently encroached. Moreover, the National
Forestry Authority has issued in 2015 new licenses to operate eco-tourism to
private investors. There are also in-coming private investments in
accommodation (the construction of Bugoma Forest Lodge by Uganda Jungle Lodges
LTD) and in research on biodiversity like on the chimpanzees (by the Jane
Goodall Institute). All this has the potential to make Bugoma Forest in the
near future one of the new relevant tourist attractions in Uganda, with trickle
down mechanisms for local communities where poverty and lack of jobs and
investments are rampant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All
these future developments will be affected by the criminal behavior of who is
trying to push forward selfish interests detrimental to the environment and in
full illegality, since Bugoma Central Forest reserve is a protected forest
under the State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Recommendations<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We urge those who are encroaching to
give up any attempt to break the law. The excuse that no boundaries have been
ascertained is only the cover for a clearly illegal activity. Everybody, from
the NFA to the local communities is very much aware about the forest’s
boundaries.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We urge a full investigation over the
responsibilities of these illegal operations in Bugoma Forest and we recommend
that any damage so far caused to the environment and to the State be
compensated and that justice prevails.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We urge those firms like Hoima Sugar
Works LTD or individuals who are willing to deal or invest in sugar cane
cultivation to do so legally, in areas where it is possible to carry out such
an investment, by legal purchase of land and being far from this ecosystem of
important biodiversity where wildlife is present. There are other areas
available and more suitable than a protected reserve which is a tourist
destination.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We urge the leaders of Hoima District
and Bunyoro kingdom to be responsible toward the development and the
sustainable future of the area, considering that already more than 70 % of
forest cover was lost in the last 20 years, which has affected climatic change
and the livelihood of the people, losing important resources for the future and
for tourism, creating a mechanism of permanent poverty. Leaders should now take
care of the remaining forests and engage in forests regeneration, not in forest
destruction.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We urge the leaders, the private
sector and the public sector to avoid, condemn and resist the temptation of
corruption which will further exacerbate the development in the region by
helping selfish interests to prevail over the respect of the law and over the
interest of the local communities.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We urge the Ministry of Water and Environment,
the Government of Uganda and the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda to take
action and to closely monitor the rampant escalation of illegality and violence
in Bugoma Forest by increasing the presence of security and military personnel
in the area to protect the staff and those civilians who are engaging in
activities for the protection of the forest.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-45296824025550634722016-04-11T06:36:00.002-07:002016-04-11T06:36:37.918-07:00Eco-tourism Activities in Bugoma Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscl5noQfIhH04sQ69qxGr_IBWtVjoG1WXCS_InbGq9SXAE4X7gs3vew6z4yIkQA7akdZny3nPw9cJA-ySHvrLVO6-a_xOfBfsVxqx5Pw1li09SJDnhQaukay6nAY6cL-Mj1lfoBONCYOL/s1600/Eco+Tourism+Bugoma+2016+Jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscl5noQfIhH04sQ69qxGr_IBWtVjoG1WXCS_InbGq9SXAE4X7gs3vew6z4yIkQA7akdZny3nPw9cJA-ySHvrLVO6-a_xOfBfsVxqx5Pw1li09SJDnhQaukay6nAY6cL-Mj1lfoBONCYOL/s400/Eco+Tourism+Bugoma+2016+Jpeg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-82911338206047279052016-04-11T06:31:00.000-07:002016-04-11T06:31:13.401-07:00March 2016: From the Campaign to the Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Yes, we
decided to move forward. The Campaign for the Conservation for Bugoma Forest
was launched in 2014 and it brought awareness about the importance of
protecting Bugoma forest in particular and forests in general. We have been few
people steering the whole process and making sure that our concern was always
translated into plans and concrete actions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ui7nCjFcYYIxnRuAHuxU3mGDss4qHbtaoN9uP1dym5V8YBL_7vBd_W75JhlsZr5eES7eKhtM_-HfhZQYbdRq-ICe_fco06StBvYvMr90-00ocHIvUbg_TQrCQ_hJ_hTnHq-kz2tEKsqk/s1600/t-shirts+and+necklaces+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ui7nCjFcYYIxnRuAHuxU3mGDss4qHbtaoN9uP1dym5V8YBL_7vBd_W75JhlsZr5eES7eKhtM_-HfhZQYbdRq-ICe_fco06StBvYvMr90-00ocHIvUbg_TQrCQ_hJ_hTnHq-kz2tEKsqk/s320/t-shirts+and+necklaces+small.jpg" title="chimpancee go handicraft" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Chimpanzee Go! T-shirts</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">With one of
the worst deforestation rates in the world, with politicians and communities
requesting for commercial plantations of eucalyptus and pines (and showing no
interest for the reforestation of indigenous trees), with a widespread
disregard of any law and legality in regards to the protection of nationally
protected forests, with increasing climatic change and worsening habitat disruption,
with attacks to Bugoma forests orchestrated by politicians in the aftermath of
the general elections of February 2016, in Uganda there is certainly need for
people and organizations investing time and commitment for the environment and
especially in favour of forest protection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In the
occasion of this year 21<sup>st</sup> March 2016 International Day of Forest,
Destination Jungle LTD and Uganda Jungle Lodges LTD decided to move forward and
register the Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest, a new
membership association. The first Annual General Meeting will take place on 13<sup>th</sup>
May and will decide and determine the leadership for the newly born
association. All those individuals and organizations who have been supporting
the campaign and participating to the cause will have their chance to
contribute in a more organized and effective manner. As an association, we will
be able to be recognized as stakeholders in the fight for forest protection; we
will be able to receive donations from supporters and to initiate project
proposals, to mention few points. Therefore, the membership campaign starts
immediately until the day of the General meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Meantime
these are the progress which we have seen by 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">First of
all, eco-tourism activities have started for the first time in Bugoma Forest,
thanks to the strong commitment of the leadership of National Forestry
Authority in the belief that eco-tourism is a direct, positive contribution in
conservation. In February we experienced ourselves a number of nature trails
(previously used by the illegal loggers) which are leading to monkeys and
chimpanzees habitats. Particularly, we could see a group of Uganda mangabey,
which is endemic to this forest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Furthermore, tourists can be
protagonists of active reforestation by planting trees in the site allocated
for regeneration as a result of the project launched by Run for Nature 2014.
This activity sees the engagement of the community through the collaborative
management group of Kiangwali.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsUAeY8sxKsD7LLMxP95ru0A4SpqqT4Tb4Xi2MWZ9h5HWg-N2tmOXrnSo8u8W-3saBf6JFgNxz7crUi2v6bUlYTIZ23GGNNU5DitfoME8kVfdN015aHL4VDLIAoS5MARS9zXeL8w-FouE/s1600/bracelets+necklaces+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsUAeY8sxKsD7LLMxP95ru0A4SpqqT4Tb4Xi2MWZ9h5HWg-N2tmOXrnSo8u8W-3saBf6JFgNxz7crUi2v6bUlYTIZ23GGNNU5DitfoME8kVfdN015aHL4VDLIAoS5MARS9zXeL8w-FouE/s320/bracelets+necklaces+small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bracelets and necklaces produced by Daniel Zenji</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We developed promotional materials for
tour operators which were distributed via the Association of Ugandan Tour
Operators. The association must keep focusing on the promotion of eco-tourism
to make local and international visitors aware and, therefore, bringing
tangible changes to Bugoma forest. Exactly what we discussed in theory with the
local communities can become a practical and visible change. Here is the source
for guides as well as for patrolling teams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Secondly,
the “Chimpanzee Go!” initiative is ongoing. Ugandan artist Zenji Daniel made
specifically for the campaign pieces of necklaces and bracelets with the
symbols of the chimpanzees. This handicraft is for sale in order to fundraise
for the three objectives of the campaign: proceed with the tree-planting in
Bugoma; support law enforcement for the protection of the forest (which is facilitating
monitoring exercises and the presence of the law); to give incentives to the
community organized in the collaborative forest management groups for the
purpose of maintaining forested cover in the area and reducing pressure into
the protected reserve. Under the initiative, t-shirts were also made portraying
the chimpanzees and the campaign logo. These items so far are displayed in the
two lodges of Uganda Jungle Lodges (Ishasha Jungle Lodge and Bwindi Jungle
Lodge) and advertised to all the tourists travelling with Destination Jungle
LTD. More support is needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For this
year 2016, we welcome the newly born Association for the Conservation of Bugoma
Forest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Check-out our updated Facebook Page: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Association-for-the-Conservation-of-Bugoma-Forest">https://www.facebook.com/Association-for-the-Conservation-of-Bugoma-Forest</a></span></div>
costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-74048587787393623322015-06-06T07:37:00.000-07:002015-08-17T06:43:41.876-07:00Destination Jungle presents “The Chimpanzee Go!”<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Destination
Jungle in June 2015 launched the new initiative "The Chimpanzee Go!" under Bugoma Forest
Conservation Campaign, to raise support and interest for the chimpanzees and
the protection of Bugoma Forest in Uganda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-EuMfxG1CqZ5uzXl7LJGXpQjH3pDJRqXrZOBUhnh2LcycC-4ZgL-ZC37PVGeXMxH781-HhswRGLtYwuoBLCpDtvnwuI7x2MF5i8TbpwGnarXwCJ8evkzhod_dIAUpLXK6Sx0akhv4yV7/s1600/JPEG72_vsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-EuMfxG1CqZ5uzXl7LJGXpQjH3pDJRqXrZOBUhnh2LcycC-4ZgL-ZC37PVGeXMxH781-HhswRGLtYwuoBLCpDtvnwuI7x2MF5i8TbpwGnarXwCJ8evkzhod_dIAUpLXK6Sx0akhv4yV7/s320/JPEG72_vsmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Logo Chimpanzee go!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This campaign comes following “Run for
Nature 2014”, the sport event which was organized in September 2014 with the
objective to start a project of tree-planting and reforestation of degraded
areas of Bugoma Central Forest Reseve. Since Run for Nature, 5 acres of forest
were identified and replanted in collaboration with the National Forestry Authority. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bugoma Central Forest Reserve is a very important and large
forest of the Albertine Rift Valley ecosystem, hosting an endangered population of chimpanzees; however Bugoma does not enjoy the
attention it deserves in terms of resources for its protection and in terms of
investments, including eco-tourism, which could help the conservation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">During
this period, we met the groups of Collaborative Forest Management, based on the communities surrounding Bugoma Forest and who should
collaborate with the forest authorities in the protection of the forest and to
identify good practices so that the pressure over
resources is reduced. Particularly, we had an important meeting on 21<sup>st</sup>
March 2015 in the occasion of the "International Day of Forests 2015", at Nsosi
forest station (National Forestry Authority), when we discussed and agreed about the importance of supporting more
tree-planting projects. We also talked about the need to respect the
chimpanzees who are inhabitants of the tropical forest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSX0YlhZvl4xtOzTVmj938HNgF_qVNsHFqzxi-AdxXphunpc0_-qlGmjv2v1fTHdhKZag64p_wT63EJBvdlfULrXl23jsceuH7oVwomKOD81r_vWsbr6NtNkQN4zppUKCk5dlqfOZCA3O/s1600/Bugoma+res.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSX0YlhZvl4xtOzTVmj938HNgF_qVNsHFqzxi-AdxXphunpc0_-qlGmjv2v1fTHdhKZag64p_wT63EJBvdlfULrXl23jsceuH7oVwomKOD81r_vWsbr6NtNkQN4zppUKCk5dlqfOZCA3O/s320/Bugoma+res.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Banner of the Bugoma Conservation Campaign</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> For this reason, we decided to
launch “The Chimpanzee Go!”. This is a fundraising initiative open to the
international public. The campaign will run between 2015 and 2016, with the first phase ending in December 2015 to make first assessments and contributions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The logo of “The Chimpanzee Go!” is a chimpanzee running near a forest while holding a red flag with the word “Go!”, which symbolizes the expansion of the habitat of the chimpanzees contrary to the current trend of reduction of that habitat. The “chimpanzee go!” is a message of hope for the chimpanzees. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The objectives of the campaign are three:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1) First
of all, to continue to invest in the tree-planting exercise and
restoration of degraded areas of Bugoma forest, following the activities already started by the
proceeds of Run for Nature 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFPtAjC4fzI4GgMyFBe4W5qX9fqZnTiq_ZgvcriJ0l98HFxqswC_usx2ZPNREnbXBWxiTRhfIr7ByjS2weDYSAn5JUwH_dJ9JP88P-RjP6dPP7POm0DqsXDhyr8G7iKpSL2-KBEKgtJYm/s1600/photo+2+res.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFPtAjC4fzI4GgMyFBe4W5qX9fqZnTiq_ZgvcriJ0l98HFxqswC_usx2ZPNREnbXBWxiTRhfIr7ByjS2weDYSAn5JUwH_dJ9JP88P-RjP6dPP7POm0DqsXDhyr8G7iKpSL2-KBEKgtJYm/s320/photo+2+res.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Meeting of 21st March 2015</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2) Secondly,
to raise funds for law enforcement. One of the major factors of destruction of Bugoma is illegal cutting of trees for timber. It is urgent to intervene by
giving a signal to those operating illegal logging that the rule of law is restored. The project will give
support in monitoring the forest and helping the law
enforcement mechanisms. Much was achieved in the last two years, many people were arrested, but we should not lower our efforts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3) The third objective is to give incentives to local private owners and farmers, so that they can maintain a forest cover in their land, in the areas surrounding Bugoma Forest and to expand forest cover through tree-planting. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Considering that in
the buffer zones there are many cases of human – wildlife conflicts and
that there are sensitive areas where the presence of the wildlife and the
chimpanzees is ancestral, we should target those sensitive areas as the priority. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Therefore, our project is looking at giving support to those private farmers organized in the Collaborative Forest Management Groups to maintain and to expand their forested land, in order to reduce the pressure against the environment. When we look at the species of trees to be planted, we only look at indigenous, typical species of the tropical forest already present in Bugoma and with the purpose of conservation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How to contribute? Anyone can contribute a donation from 100 USD or 200 USD or 500 USD to the account of Destination Jungle (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Account Name:
Destination Jungle U. Ltd., Account number: 02013552640334 (USD), Bank Name and
Address: DFCU BANK, Impala House, Plot 13 Kimathi Avenue, PO Box 70 Kampala, Swift
code: DFCUUGKA; </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Reason: The
Chimpanzee Go!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> We target for this campaign all
friends of Bugoma Forest Conservation Campaign, all the people who feels concerned for the future of forests and the chimpanzees in particular, and those friends and tourists
travelling through Destination Jungle. We are going to offer specially made
t-shirts which will be available for all 2015. This is the year of the “The
Chimpanzee go!”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Good
fundraising and keep updated through the campaign Facebook page: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bugoma-Forest-Conservation-Campaign/989113337780632" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bugoma-Forest-Conservation-Campaign/989113337780632</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Costantino Tessarin</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-23836340769201170592014-08-19T07:14:00.000-07:002014-08-19T07:14:42.492-07:00Run for Nature 2014 - PRESS RELEASE 19th August 2014<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Brief History of BFCC<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bugoma
Forest Conservation Campaign is a consortium of private sector companies, NGOs
and associations sharing the interest to work together for making positive
steps in forest conservation in Uganda, particularly targeting the conservation
of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve (Hoima District).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The current
members of the Campaign group are: KUEMA (Kyambogo University Environmental
Management Association), Uganda Wildlife Society, Insieme Si Può, Green
Organization Africa Ltd., </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Chimpanzee
Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, Destination Jungle Ltd, Green Bio
Energy Ltd, </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Star-Leo Ltd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The idea to work together came in
February 2014 during a public lecture at Kyambogo University organized by
KUEMA, where it was discussed the current status of degradation, illegal
logging and deforestation taking place in Bugoma Forest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo7tf8s4-HRCg7AJo-ouXDrBOgNuZ0nXkb9E2Uye83IRp5i1OQFa1pyOkS6KQRrvHyatAC3qo1fwV_LoNpvVBkOpKCwruSJ8AilPKDIElSswV6ZH_-n3HjwUuuc2kJFJinPM_tSG_AkMG/s1600/logo+run.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo7tf8s4-HRCg7AJo-ouXDrBOgNuZ0nXkb9E2Uye83IRp5i1OQFa1pyOkS6KQRrvHyatAC3qo1fwV_LoNpvVBkOpKCwruSJ8AilPKDIElSswV6ZH_-n3HjwUuuc2kJFJinPM_tSG_AkMG/s1600/logo+run.JPG" height="196" title="Run for Nature Logo" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bugoma was rated 12 out of 65 forests
surveyed in Uganda for biodiversity importance (Uganda Forest Department,
2002). From a scientific survey carried out in 2010, it is estimated that in
Bugoma Forest there are many animals, birds species and plants to be protected
and that it is also important because is one of the last remaining forests
along the wildlife migratory corridor of the Lake Albert region, between the
Murchison Falls Conservation Area (in the North) and the Semliki reserve (in
the South). </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Bugoma
counts a record of 267 species of trees, 18 mammals, 278 butterflies.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Among the mammals, the primates are abundant,
with about 580 chimpanzees, a large number of black and white colobus Ugandan
mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys. The Ugandan mangabey only remains
present in Bugoma, as it disappeared from other forests in the region. Among
other animals, Bugoma hosts a small population of bush elephants, golden cats,
side-striped jackals. There are 221 birds species recorded in Bugoma making the
forest a birding sanctuary. Bugoma forest is a huge potential tourist
destination along the Rift Valley circuit, yet a forgotten treasure of Uganda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The official size of the reserve is
41.144 hectares equal to 411 sq km; however the encroachment which took place
in Lwempunu sector in 2011 – 2012 resulted into the loss of about 50 sq km and
that area was never restocked. Even in recent months the Ugandan newspapers
published several articles about the situation of illegal encroachment of the
reserve and the illegal logging which takes place, showing images of natural
devastation. The National Forestry Authority is putting in place all their
resources to combat the situation; however help is needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We decided to work together to take an
action against all this destruction and because we feel that the private sector
and the civil society can play a vital role in helping forest conservation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bugoma Forest Conservation Campaign
decided to make steps in different directions: promoting awareness about forest
conservation with public events; working on research and preparation of a long
term conservation project for the forest and the surrounding communities;
planning eco-tourism development to improve on conservation and job creation in
the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For this reason, all members of the
consortium are vital and each member contributes with its specialties in making
a positive joint effort. The Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation
Trust is bringing its leadership in developing conservation project in forest
habitats. Green Bio Energy is contributing with the idea of an alternative
source of charcoal to replace traditional charcoal which leads to
deforestation. Destination Jungle is promoting the image of Bugoma Forest as a
possible potential tourism destination in Uganda. KUEMA is providing the
support of a strong membership serving the needs of the organization and they
carried out a field survey in Bugoma in April. The analysis of the survey was
done in collaboration with Uganda Wildlife Society. “Insieme Si Può” (ISP) is
one of the leading Italian NGOs in Uganda with strong interest for the
environment, the sustainability and agro-forestry practices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Run
for Nature 2014<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bugoma Forest Conservation Campaign
decided to launch the first edition of Run For Nature,<b> </b>an annual run event having the objective to raise awareness and to
fundraise over important aspects of conservation for Bugoma Forest. The first
Run For Nature will take place on 7<sup>th</sup> September 2014 in Kampala,
from Kati Kati Restaurant at 7 am. The target is to reach a number of registrations
of 1000 people, who can register the 5 km or the 10 km run. The logo of the
event represents the closeness between chimpanzees and human beings
representing a running chimpanzee and a standing tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All
the registration fees and donations will be directly invested in the first <b><i>reforestation
exercise of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve</i></b> after many years in which no
such an exercise took place. We intend to invest in reforesting degraded areas
by planting indigenous trees and important species which are so much needed by
the eco-system, to sustain the chimpanzee population and the other animals. We
are targeting to collect an amount of 20.000.000 Ugx.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Registrations
are targeting the students of the Universities, who can pay a small fee of
10.000 UGX, the general public who can pay a minimum fee of 20.000 UGX for
running or 30.000 UGX for running as donor. Finally the corporate world can
support with a minimum contribution of 100.000 UGX for sponsoring the cause.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
promotion of the event will also have a special target in the involvement of
the Association of Ugandan Tour Operators and Tour Guides. The Ugandan tour
operators and Tour Guides play a role in supporting conservation in Uganda
through developing and encouraging eco-tourist activities, whereby tourists can
take an activity in nature but with the aim to conserve that nature and at the
same time delivering a positive income. We would like to inform the tour
operators and Tour Guides about the importance of Bugoma Forest for potential
eco-tourism activities; this will help the conservation of the forest in future.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacingCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Organization of the
event<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The logistic organization of the event
is done by <b>Activate Uganda (</b></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.activateuganda.com/">www.activateuganda.com</a>)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">, a leading company in Uganda in
providing logistics for sport events. Between today and the 7<sup>th</sup>
September, registration centers for the run are active at the Uganda Society
Library thanks to Kuema and at the office of Destination Jungle Pan Africa
House. Registration Tables will be organized in Kimathi Avenue at Pan Africa
House, at Café Pub in town, at Kyambogo University and at Makerere University. All
registration fees and sponsorship are paid to KUEMA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Activate Uganda will design the route
of the run which will be along Lugogo By Pass then Kololo area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Prizes
of the Run<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The first prize of the RUN was offered
by Wildplaces Uganda and it will be given to the 1<sup>st</sup> position for
male and female in the 10 km Run. The prize consists of 2 nights in Full Board
and game drives at Semliki Safari Lodge for 2 people each, a prize worth
each 3.570.000 UGX. Thanks to
Wildplaces.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
prize for the 5km run is sponsored by one of the organizer, Green Bio Energy
and consists of 1 Eco-stove and Briketi 5.5 kg each winner. The Run for Nature
intends to sensitize the people of Uganda about the importance of using
alternative source of fuel, like Briketi, which is made with recycled materials
and banana fibers. The production of traditional charcoal is actually one of
the main causes of deforestation in Uganda and in Bugoma Forest specifically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Other
cash prizes will be supplementing the main prices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Special Thanks to<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We
would like to extend our thanks to the following organizations for their
support to the event:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-The
National Forestry Authority for the patronage of the event and for helping in
the reforestation project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Café
Pub, which offered to host our registration tables<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Wildplaces
for the support and contributing to the prizes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-SVI
(Italian Cooperation) for the support;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Business
Club Italia (BCI) and particularly the Chairman Ing. Giorgio Petrangeli of
Sobetra and the companies Draco, Stirling and Italaluminium for the support;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-The
Uganda Breweries for helping with cartons of water;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Pepsi
Cola for offering cartons of soda during the event and some tents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-The
Association of Uganda tour operators (AUTO) for the promotion of the event
among all the members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Costantino
Tessarin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Coordinator
of Bugoma Forest Conservation Campaign <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Director
of Destination Jungle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Tel:
+256701385446<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">E-mail:
d.jungle@safaritoeastafrica.com
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Facebook Page</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span lang="IT"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/bugomaforest/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/bugomaforest/</a></span></span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">E-mail</span></b><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">: </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="mailto:bugomacampaign@gmail.com"><span lang="IT">bugomacampaign@gmail.com</span></a></span><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411478683190948816.post-23946492048261005152014-03-12T08:38:00.000-07:002014-03-12T08:38:08.275-07:00Bugoma Forest Conservation Campaign Appeal<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Background: the importance of Bugoma
Forest</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Bugoma
Central Forest Reserve, with about 410 sq km of protected area, a long forested
stretch of about 40 km, was rated 12 out of 65 forests surveyed in Uganda for
biodiversity importance. Bugoma is the largest remaining block of forest along
the Albertine Rift Valley between Budongo and Semliki and it is a chimpanzee
sanctuary.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Mission of the campaign</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To
work for the conservation of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve and neighboring
buffer zones areas, working with stakeholders and changing the current trend of
deforestation in both protected forest and the private lands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICx1djebeGrKfXl9IglQZ6qXXuiL8E0lJaKbXw5QPWQzaIFw2lZ5NpP2yuCYWRtiJH8axpPF_1KGSNKcrnVif2GlsK6sK6RYn_wVdpSXXq9I5a7wLNHW47vTKFOhorpcgo82HaYFW5HaH/s1600/Our+forest+cleared.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICx1djebeGrKfXl9IglQZ6qXXuiL8E0lJaKbXw5QPWQzaIFw2lZ5NpP2yuCYWRtiJH8axpPF_1KGSNKcrnVif2GlsK6sK6RYn_wVdpSXXq9I5a7wLNHW47vTKFOhorpcgo82HaYFW5HaH/s1600/Our+forest+cleared.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Deforestation along the boundaries of the Forest, March 2014</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Problematic issues
observed in Bugoma Forest and surroundings:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Rampant
deforestation in and around Bugoma, Hoima District, affecting protected areas
but also the private lands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-The
forest boundaries are not clear and much area is degraded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Timber
“mafia” type of society is affecting the lives of people living around Bugoma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-The
chimpanzee of Bugoma forest are “beleaguered” and endangered as the wildlife
migratory corridors between Bugoma and Budongo are disappearing with the loss
of habitats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-The
control of the forest by the police and forestry authorities is not sufficient
and more concerted efforts should be put in place and more partnership.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-NGOs
are not present in Bugoma forest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-The
private sector is not present in Bugoma<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Ugandan
Universities are not carrying out research in Bugoma <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-The
future construction of an oil refinery near the forest is a serious threat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Bugoma
forest does not host any eco-tourist site.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Objectives, ideas and actions of the
campaign:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-A
partnership approach should be encouraged for the conservation of the forest,
involving the local communities and their leaders, as it is foreseen by the
National Forestry Act about the creation of Forest Committees to support the
management of the protected areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-A
request for expansion of the current protected area should be made and a clear
demarcation exercise of the boundaries, considering important sites and
wildlife corridors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-
A joint effort public / private would help and bring more resources for the
protection of the forest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-In
the private areas and buffer zones, the District Forest Department should be
encouraged to enforce and enact more regulations for the conservation of
forests. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Owners of private forests should be encouraged to
register their forests with the District Land Board and preserve them,
according to the Law cap 21.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Incentives
for private forest owners are important and urgent for a better forest
management and to encourage reforestation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-People
should be encouraged to purchase land with the purpose of protecting the
forest, in buffer zones areas.<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Carbon
incentives would also help to reduce the rate of deforestation and encouraging
active reforestation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-The
degraded areas of the protected forest must be restocked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Universities
should start pilot projects of scientific research in and around Bugoma Central
Forest Reserve. This could also help policy makers and drive the efforts of
NGOs.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-An
urgent project is the restoration of the wildlife migratory corridor between
Bugoma and Budongo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-NGOs
should come and invest in restoration of the forest, both in protected areas
and in private areas. NGOs should work with local communities creating income
generating activities (like crops incentives) and at the same time promoting
tree-planting and forest regeneration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Projects
can generate more jobs in the area and may help changing faster the current
trend of deforestation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Creating eco-tourism activities in Bugoma is crucial to
the future of the forest and should be encouraged.<b> </b>Licenses from National Forestry Authority should not only be given
for timber cutting, but also for eco-tourism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Targeted groups:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-NFA
and District Forest Services <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Students
and Universities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Civil
society organizations <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-NGOs for the environment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Private
sector enterprises (especially sugar cane and tea plantations)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Private
forest owners<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Political
leaders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">-Bunyoro
kingdom<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">-Medias</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b>Visit the Facebook Page for discussions and updates:</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-right: -0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/bugomaforest/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/bugomaforest/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
costantino tessarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16603335744005442583noreply@blogger.com0