Govt has no right to give away Mabira

The Mabira give away is not a new song on Ugandan airwaves; the first attempt in 2007 had bitter consequences.

Giving away Mabira should be justified and endorsed by the citizens and not the President alone since no one owns the forest.

The principle of Public Trust Doctrine enjoins government ( and not the president) to protect and preserve natural resources on behalf of the citizens ( Part 13 of the National Objectives and Principles: 1995 Constitution).

Whatever decisions the government makes should be people powered and should lead to protection of natural resources.

There is no provision to the contrary that the government should give away natural resources for sugar, even if it invokes sustainable development, it is in breach of inter-generational equity.

Michael Aboneka,
abonex2007@yahoo.com