Sale of Mabira forest.

Mabira forest giveaway.

Cabinet has agreed to give away part of Mabira forest for sugar cane growing.

The Mabira Forest is a rainforest area covering about 300 square kilometres (120 sq mils) in Uganda, located in the Mukono District between Kampala and Jinja. It has been protected as Mabira Forest Reserve since 1932

Destruction (Deforestation plans)

The Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited (Scoul), owned by the Mehta Group, planned to clear one-third of the Mabira Forest (around 70 km²) for sugarcane plantations, and had proposed to the government to de-notify and transfer this land.

President Yoweri Museveni and his cabinet supported this plan.
The deforestation plans were disputed within Uganda. While environmentalists feared the loss of hundreds of endangered species, increased erosion, the damage of livelihoods of local people and negative impacts on water balance and regional climate.

 "supporters hoped for money".
 A cabinet paper said the plan would generate 3,500 jobs and contribute 11.5 billion Ugandan shillings to the treasury.

The Kabaka (King) of Buganda opposed the deforestation plan and has offered alternative land for sugarcane production.

The Anglican church of Mukono has also offered land.

At several people were killed during a demonstration of about 1,000 for the protection of the Mabira Forest. There were also riots against Asians, since the Mehta Group is Indian-owned.

President Museveni defended the deforestation plans, saying that he shall ”not be deterred by people who don't see where the future of Africa lies”.

"Is this really the right future for our County?"