After being petitioned by Save Bugoma Forest Campaigners, the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Mr Jacob Oulanyah, has pledged to draw the attention of the House to the ongoing destruction of Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
In a phone to phone interview with Mr Dickens Kamugisha, the Chairperson for Save Bugoma Forest Campaign (SBFC) association last evening said they had registered another tremendous achievement of discussing with the speaker and delivering their comprehensive petition.
“We have explained to him all the problems around Bugoma forest highlighting the near and long term dangers associated with the forest destruction. We have also told him as written that the Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development has played a negative role towards Bugoma forest protection”, said Mr Kamugisha.
He added that the speaker promised to liaise with the area Members of Parliament to have the issue tabled before parliament for debate on Tuesday next week.
The environmental campaigner said parliament cannot underestimate the issue of conservation given the current disasters including floods and droughts scientifically attributed to environmental degradation.
“The Hon. Speaker also highlighted the need for parliament to pay a visit to the forest to have further informed discussions as they work to promote conservation in the whole country”, he added.
The delivered petition was signed by more than 20,000 Bugoma forest host communities and lovers of conservation from all over the country including members of the civil society organisaitons.
The petition to parliament was delivered by leaders of the local communities in Kikuube district under the Save Bugoma Forest Campaign Local Chapter and the National Chapter.
They are now working to meet the President of the Republic of Uganda for a physical interaction after delivering the petition to him as well.
