Members of Parliament have deferred a proposal by the government to borrow 282.4 billion Shillings from the World Bank to invest in forests and protected areas in the country.
Hajjati Syda Bbumba, the chairperson of the National Economy Committee had presented a report endorsing the investment part of which will be used to ensure that national parks are fenced off to stop animal-human conflicts and to increase the involvement of local communities in the management of forest and wildlife areas.
She hoped that the same loan facility would be used to improve tourism, infrastructure and equipment for the management of protected areas, and restore degraded natural forests and habitats in forest reserves, among others. But members said that the government had failed to account for previous funding under the same project, yet it had also not reached all parts of the country, where environmental degradation remains a challenge.
Budadiri West MP Nathan Nandala Mafabi said that the government should first account for the money approved earlier on forests and trees before parliament can approve a new loan facility and added that it was shameful for a country like Uganda to borrow money for the purpose of planting trees.
Noeline Kisembo, the Woman MP for Kibaale district said that the government was not doing enough to protect forests citing Bugoma forest which is threatened by massive encroachment, human activity and investment. Her submission was augmented by the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga who questioned why the government had indicated money to restore Budongo and Bugoma forests, yet the two have been depleted for sugar cane growing.
In the same line of argument, Mitooma Woman MP Jovah Kamateeka said the loan was unnecessary in the wake of massive forest and wetland encroachment.
Onzima Godfrey, the Aringa North MP said that although forests are heavily protected, they are exploited by the very people who are supposed to offer protection. He says Government cannot say it is giving a loan to protect forests, and yet it is the same government that is issuing licenses for people to cut trees. He says the Kei Forest Reserve in Yumbe was being depleted under government watch.
Bukooli Island MP George Abbott Ouma says that although the borrowing is being done, there are untouchables who are dealing with timber and charcoal who are guarded by security personnel and fears that even though the loan is passed, it will not be utilised. Similarly, Idah Nantaba, the former Minister for Lands, pointed out that there are powerful people in the government and private sector who have taken over titles of forests and other reserves and that the loan will be a waste of time.
The Minister of State for Environment Beatrice Anywar said it’s unfortunate that the loan is coming at a time when MPs have mixed feelings, especially because many things have gone wrong as far as the environment is concerned. But she said that some of the issues that have been raised in the sector could not be addressed in the absence of funding.
After this, Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal asked the Minister to repackage the loan request. The Ministry will now have one week to reconcile the issues raise.
The government also tabled a 1.4 trillion Shillings loan from the African Development Bank and corporate International Fund of Spain for the refurbishment of the Meter Gauge Railway from Kampala to Malaba. The loan has been referred to the National Economy Committee for perusal. Meanwhile, Parliament approved a loan worth 306 billion shillings for the Uganda Development bank operations and support to Ugandan businesses.
-URN
