Ugandan Civil Society Organizations Withdraw Appeal to Protect Bugoma Forest Reserve

In a move that has sparked widespread concern, civil society organizations (CSOs) under the Save Bugoma Forest Campaign (SBFC) have withdrawn their appeal from the Court of Appeal to protect the Bugoma Central Forest Reserve in Uganda. The decision comes after prolonged judicial delays and perceived bias in the court’s handling of the case.

The SBFC, a coalition of organizations including the Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), and the Water and Environment Media Network (WEMNET), had initially filed the appeal in September 2020. The appeal was in response to the National Environment Management Authority’s (NEMA) issuance of an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate to Hoima Sugar Limited (HSL), allowing the company to conduct potentially harmful activities such as sugarcane cultivation and urban development within the forest reserve.

The CSOs argued that NEMA’s approval violated multiple environmental regulations, including failing to adequately consult affected communities and bypassing public hearings for the controversial project. Despite their efforts, the High Court ruled in favor of HSL in May 2021, leading to continued deforestation.

Efforts to expedite the appeal were met with further delays, and as a result, the forest has continued to suffer degradation. The organizations have expressed deep frustration with Uganda’s judicial system, accusing it of failing to protect critical ecosystems.

"We have been left with no choice but to withdraw our appeal," said Dickens Kamugisha, chairperson of the SBFC. "The courts in Uganda have demonstrated that they are unwilling to support forest conservation efforts."

Joshua Mutale of WEMNET added, "It is unfortunate that our judicial system remains insensitive and weak, which has resulted in worsening destruction of critical ecosystems."

Despite withdrawing from the court battle, the CSOs emphasized their continued commitment to conserving Bugoma Forest through other strategies, including mobilizing communities, pressuring government agencies, and advocating for the establishment of a specialized environmental court to address such cases urgently.