Kadaga calls for tough penalties on deforestation

One of the houses which collapsed claiming lives (inset is Speaker Kadaga). PHOTO BY TAUSI NAKATO

Kampala- The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, has blamed the death of 18 people in Busoga Sub-region on uncontrolled deforestation.

The speaker in a press statement issued yesterday has called for quick measures to be put in place to ensure afforestation.
“Leaders must encourage the population to replace the trees; the best way forward is to plant fruit trees such as mangoes, oranges, paw paws, and others,” reads in part the Speaker’s statement.

Advice
Ms Kadaga advised that the measures must be enforced by leaders at lower levels to check cruel abuse of the ecosystem.
“The hailstorms have become fierce and resulted in fatalities because of rampant deforestation,” the Speaker added.
The hailstorm that hit Buyende and parts of Kamuli left a total of 17 people dead and several others injured.

Police authorities said 13 were killed in Kidera Sub-county, Buyende District, three other deaths occurred in Balawo and others in Namasagali.

“I have already contacted the government to provide relief to survivors especially those whose houses and gardens were destroyed,” she revealed.

The Speaker, who quietly returned home after her treatment in Nairobi, remains on a sick holiday.
Officers within her circles say Ms Kadaga is expected to resume work by tomorrow.