NFA TO CANCEL KITUBULU FOREST OFFER TO CHINESE FIRM
In a twist of events, the National Forestry Authority (NFA) is considering cancelling the offer of an eco-tourism license to the Tian Tang Group in Kitubulu Forest Reserve, Entebbe.
Aidan Walukamba, the NFA public relations manager, said that in 2023, the NFA gave the Tian Tang Group a license to develop an eco-tourism plan in the forest reserve. He stated the company was given a one-year probation period during which it was supposed to undertake an environmental and social impact assessment, among other conditions.
Upon fulfilment of the conditions, NFA would have given Tian Tang a license for 49 years, Walukamba said.
However, Evelyn Anite, the State Minister for Investment and Privatisation, said Tian Tang was going to construct an “alternative city in Entebbe” as opposed to an eco-tourism park.
“We are mandated by law [the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act] to allow eco-tourism enterprises in the forest because they promote conservation and also generate income, as well as providing employment,” Walukamba said.
He said the NFA had approved five eco-tourism enterprises in the eco-state Kitubulu Forest Reserve. Walukamba also said Tian Tang’s licence cancellation will follow a procedure, which was also applied earlier.
“Eco-tourism is part of conservation without destruction,” he said.
This, Walukamba said, is part of the sustainable use of forests and that forests are supposed to be protected for posterity. He cited prevention of pollution of Lake Victoria and protection of flora and fauna as the chief focus of Kitubulu Forest Reserve. The forest also protects Entebbe peninsula from flooding and preserves fish grounds.
Walukamba said the development of an alternative city is diverting from the offer for which an eco-tourism enterprise was given.
Rulinda: Investment must never be detrimental to the environment.
“This is a violation of Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve,” he said, adding that a team of experts is on the ground to study the development with a view to cancelling Tian Tang’s offer.
Walukamba also said the declaration of an alternative city in a forest reserve may incite politicians.
“We are in a challenging time, people may think that we are sabotaging the Government,” Walukamba added.
Entebbe mayor, Fabrice Brad Rulinda, said the fight for Kitubulu goes beyond personal ambitions or political stardom.
“Each time the rains come and the waters rise, it is Kitubulu Forest Reserve that quickly absorbs the threat. It takes the blow so that our homes, our roads, our hospitals and our schools are not swallowed by floods and wall of concrete, no imported design, could perform this task more faithfully than this forest does naturally, freely and selflessly,” he said.
Rulinda emphasized that he is not against investors.
“Investment must never be detrimental to the environment,” he said. “Real progress is not measured by how many buildings we erect, but by how wisely we balance development with preservation.”
He added: “What is being proposed for Kitubulu, a bespoke project under the Tian Tang Group, is not urgent nor is it necessary. Entebbe is not short of business. We have capacity; what we lack is balance and respect for the natural systems that protect us.”
Rulinda observed that the rest of the world is planting trees, restoring animals and fighting climate change.
“Why should we, be blessed with one of Africa’s greatest lakes, And be the ones cutting down the very lungs that keep us alive?” the mayor of Entebbe wondered.
Anite could not be reached for a comment as she did not pick repeated calls to her known cellphone.
