We Want Our Forests Back, Buganda Continues to Demand Central Government
By: Hassan Sendija
The Buganda Kingdom continued to demand what they call theirs taken by the Central Government.
In his speech read by the first Deputy Prime of the Kingdom Owek. Hajji Twaha Kawaase, the Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga continued to demand for the forest reserves from the Central government.
Buganda is saying that a lot of their land and forest reserves are still in the hands of Central government and they (Buganda) wants them back such that they develop that land in the way they desire.
Owek. Hajji Twaha Kawaase presented Katikkiro’s speech at the closing ceremony of Buganda Environment Week held at Lubiri Mengo on Friday.
“Buganda has a lot of forests, the Central government is still with hold.
We urge the government to give back our forests so that we keep them in our way, those forests has a lot of our heritage, We have clans in Buganda but all the 52 clans needs forests, water, and mountains.” The speech in part reads.
“Buganda, We have bigger advantage if the environment is safe because we have extra uses of the good environment when you compare with those of the central government“
Buganda Kingdom regained some of their land titles from Central government but according to Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga there is a lot for Buganda to demand from the government.
Tom Obong Okello, the Director of National Forestry Authority attended the event.
The event also had a simple exhibition and a number of energy saving products were showcased on the day.
Buganda Ndokwa and Ebenezer Energy Saving Stove was among the companies that show cased their products.
The Marketing Executive of Ebenezer Energy Savings Stove, Prince Bruce.
“Four years ago we decided to start manufacturing these stoves when we looked at the high rate of deforestation in the country.
We came up with an Idea to reduce that rate, our stoves have played a big role in curbing the challenge since they use Solar, Electricity, and Volcanic rocks, all thes does not affect our environment.”
Show casing was just a sub event in the Buganda environment week, there were other activities held since this week began and some of them are environment sensitization, tree seedling giving, improving on Kabaka’s lake, saving swamps among other activities.