Uganda's Mabira rainforest is both a vital resource and home to many endangered species. Since 1932, it has been protected. Now, President Yoweri Museveni is threatening to sell it off.
President Museveni and his government plan to give nearly one third of the rainforest to the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Ltd in order to deforest it and start sugarcane plantations.
This plan must be stopped as the deforestation would threaten the livelihood of many people because it would create a water imbalance due to the fact that many districts depend on the rainforest for water. It will also severely strain the fragile ecosystem and would fast track many animals, trees and birds towards extinction.
We the undersigned demand that the plan to grow sugarcane in the Mabira rainforest must stop. The rainforest is important not only to Ugandans, but the international community as well. It has been protected for a reason and should continue to be as the endangered species and ecological system it holds needs to be supported and kept safe.
This plan to deforest thousands of acres of rainforest must not happen.
Thank you.
