Uganda's Museveni says factories are more important than forests
okello | 13.11.2006 17:44 | Ecology | Social Struggles
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has justifies the sale of forests, saying it opens more land for industrialisation.
Museveni said the greatest problem in Africa is inadequate manufacturing industries and called for the usage of forest lands. He said he cannot aimlessly sell forests to private investors, saying he knows their value."In Africa, the greatest problem we have is inadequacy in the number of manufacturing industries. This has affected us so much. Forests are easier to plant than constructing industries," said Museveni.
Museveni was on Saturday launching a safe water accessibility project for the urban poor people in Rubaga south. Museveni promised this when campaigning for the February presidential elections.
Water and environment minister Maria Mutagamba, mayor Nasser Sebaggala, area MP Susan Nampijja Lukyamuzi and National Water and Sewerage Corporation chief Dr. William Muhairwe were present.
Environmentalists and the local people have protested the proposal to give the Mehta Group 5,000 hectares of Mabira forest to cultivate sugarcane.
Museveni said, "I love investors that show interest in constructing industries. Industries get us employment, raise our social status and raise taxes which we use to support our country especially in the education sector.
"We can now fund UPE (Universal Primary Education), and free secondary education is beginning soon."
Museveni added, "I just ignore people making false allegations about me. I believe in the construction of factories and I have no apologies over that. Most countries are economically strong because of factories. If you have factories, you can get funds to conserve the environment but you cannot do this when you are poor."
Museveni recently said he would not arbitrarily give away Mabira forest to investors without permission from Parliament. He reportedly said he would first brief the Cabinet, which would present the issue before the NRM caucus to table it in Parliament.
Museveni was on Saturday launching a safe water accessibility project for the urban poor people in Rubaga south. Museveni promised this when campaigning for the February presidential elections.
Water and environment minister Maria Mutagamba, mayor Nasser Sebaggala, area MP Susan Nampijja Lukyamuzi and National Water and Sewerage Corporation chief Dr. William Muhairwe were present.
Environmentalists and the local people have protested the proposal to give the Mehta Group 5,000 hectares of Mabira forest to cultivate sugarcane.
Museveni said, "I love investors that show interest in constructing industries. Industries get us employment, raise our social status and raise taxes which we use to support our country especially in the education sector.
"We can now fund UPE (Universal Primary Education), and free secondary education is beginning soon."
Museveni added, "I just ignore people making false allegations about me. I believe in the construction of factories and I have no apologies over that. Most countries are economically strong because of factories. If you have factories, you can get funds to conserve the environment but you cannot do this when you are poor."
Museveni recently said he would not arbitrarily give away Mabira forest to investors without permission from Parliament. He reportedly said he would first brief the Cabinet, which would present the issue before the NRM caucus to table it in Parliament.
okello