Often times, host communities loose out when development project come into their communities. Issues dispossession of land, natural heritage and livelihoods arise. These are the challenges that residents of Hoima district confront since government of Uganda started developing oil projects after the discovery of commercially viable crude oil deposits in their area.
Hoima residents whose properties were affected by the construction of a 92 KM Hoima-Kaiso Tonya road in the Oil region lost their compensation money to ghost property owners. The road construction project affected more than 2000 residents; however, not all affected residents have been compensated.
Read more: Infrastructure Development: Often times Host communities do not benefit
The National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) joined other Civil Society Organizations in Uganda to criticize the New NGO Bill 2015 proposed by the Uganda’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima. The proposed bill was tabled on the floor of Parliament last month for discussions. While meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and internal Affair, civil society organizations said that overall, the proposed bill is a reversal of the spirit of complimentary and collaboration that the NGO board, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other departments of government, have been championing with the NGOs. The New NGO Bill expressly seeks to grant the NGO Board sweeping powers to restrict, obstruct and criminalize the legitimate work of NGOs.
Read more: Uganda Civil Society Organizations Criticize the New Proposed NGOs Bill 2015
PRESS STATEMENT ON KAVERA BAN (POLYTHENE BAGS): As you may recall, NEMA on 15th April 2015 banned the use of polythene bags commonly known as Kavera. This decision was arrived at based on the dangers associated with it on environment and all its habitats. These among others include the following;
As NAPE joins the rest of the world to celebrate the world environmental day whose theme is ‘Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care‘. We are going to sue business entities that have deliberately refused to comply with the ban on Kavera, which was effected on 15th April 2015 by National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA). Seven billion dreams can only be realized if the planetary resources are managed/consumed/ planned for rationally to meet the needs of the current generation without comprising the ability of the future generation to meet theirs.
Read more: NAPE to sue business Entities not complying with the Kavera ban
Government of Uganda with approval of parliament, some time back in 2009 banned the importation, manufacture and use of polythene bag, popularly known as kavera of gauge below 30 microns.
The ban was based on the effects the Kavera has on the environment namely:-
Read more: NAPE Reacts to government’s lack of commitment to ban Kaveera (Polythene bags) in Uganda
NAPE and other Civil Society organizations in Uganda have been collaborating with Franciscans International (FI), a faith-based International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) with General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and submitted a contribution to the list of issues to the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Uganda.
Franciscans International submitted a contribution to the list of issues in September 2014 and is now closely following the review process.
Read more: Review of economic, social and cultural rights in Uganda
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