Mabira Forest Giveaway: a Path to Degenerative Development

The environmental challenges facing Uganda and the East African region are real. Unplanned natural resource exploitation by corrupt governments, criminal networks, bad governance, and changing rainfall patterns have negatively impacted the lives of millions of Africans. A nascent movement of environmentalists is now making their voices heard to reclaim their land, resources, and future. Now, author Tony Akaki adds his voice and perspective in addressing the unfolding environmental disaster by focusing on the Mabira Forest giveaway-a plan proposed by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to give nearly one-quarter of the Mabira Forest to the Sugar Corporation of Uganda (S. C. O. U. L.)- owned by the Mehta Group-to facilitate the growth of more sugarcane. Akaki raises all the issues regarding the impact on the environment, the potential to affect ecotourism, medical research on indigenous flora and fauna, the loss of rain supplying Lake Victoria, and the potential for environmental disaster with deforestation. He provides a powerful argument for saving the environment and fighting to preserve Uganda's forests and natural resources.