In an update to our article last month, the National Association of Professional Environmentalists of Uganda was successful in pressuring the government to protect the valuable Mabira Forest Reserve from sugar cane development.
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Last month in our newsletter we told you about the plight of the Mabira Forest Reserve in Uganda. The Ugandan government announced plans to abandon this amazing reserve, full of rich biodiversity, to corporate controlled sugar cane farming.
Good News! Pressure from Greengrants grantees National Association of Professional Environmentalists(NAPE) and Save Mabira Crusade in Uganda led the government to back off its plans. The groups organized a peaceful demonstration that gathered upwards of 100,000 people and brought national attention to the proposed give away of the Mabira Forest Reserve.
In a surprising double victory, the government also decided to abandon its plans to give away another forest reserve in the Kalangala forest for commercial palm oil production at the same time.
Betty Obbo, Program Officer at NAPE writes, “We thank our partners from all around the world, for the unending support we received from you in the struggle to save the Mabira Forest Reserve.” Executive Director Frank Muramuzi adds, “The crusade continues to fight against the destruction and degradation of other forests in Uganda.”
We will update you as the court trials for NAPE members continue; charges have been filed against these demonstration participants despite the legality of the protest.