A close to four-year protracted war over whether Sugarcane should be grown on the 21 square miles of land on Bugoma, Kikuube district has ended with a win for the environmentalist.
In a certificate issued by National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), guiding on how the land should be used, Hoima Sugar have been allowed to grow sugarcane on only nine square miles, which NEMA deems fit for human activity since it is grassland (no forest cover).
The development sends relief down the spine of environmental activists across the globe who had protested the occupancy of Hoima Sugar on the land.
This website has learnt that the land is private property previously owned by Bunyoro Kingdom and was leased to Hoima Sugar on August 4, 2016.
Sheila Nduhukire, the Hoima Sugar Spokesperson, called NEMA’s directive an ‘unfortunate and unfair decision’.
“Despite a court ruling to the effect that this land is not part of Bugoma Forest reserve, we are disappointed that NEMA chose to deny us the right of possession of more than half of our legitimately acquired land (13sqmiles),” Nduhukire said.
In 2019, NFA dragged Hoima Sugar to court challenging the occupancy. However, court ruled that the sugar company was entitled to 22sqmiles bordering Bugoma Forest Reserve.
“We are a green and law-abiding company, we shall abide by the order from NEMA as we exploit the available legal options,” Nduhukire added.
Background
The Kingdom parceled out 41,144 hectares of land to Hoima Sugar for development and to set up a sugar plant and sugarcane plantation. But due to the wrangles that arose out of this agreement, the project derailed since 2016.
It further attracted a court suit and on 25th April 2019, the Court of Appeal ruled that the company (Hoima Sugar) should occupy 22 square miles of the disputed forest land in Kikuube District in western Uganda.
The Court of Appeal’s decision had been triggered by National Forest Authority which rushed to same court to challenge the ruling by the lower court (High Court).
