Mabira is the word almost every Ugandan on social networking sites has mentioned in the last one week. The Mabira Forest is found in central Uganda near the capital Kampala. It’s one of the few natural rain forests that remain after years of degradation took away many hectares.

Uganda’s forests cover loss is already driven by an increasing population which largely depends on agriculture but the fight this time is against the government and a sugar production company, Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited (Scoul), which intends to take part of the forest for sugarcane production. In 1990 Uganda had 5 million hectares of forest but by 2005 this was reduced to just 3.5 million. Uganda is one of the 10 African countries with highest forest net loss .

Ugandans first took to the streets in 2007 to demonstrate against President Museveni’s government move to give away parts of Mabira Forest to Sugar Corporation of Ugandan Limited (Scoul). The move to de-gazette the forest met stiff resistance and saw over 1000 Ugandans pour in the streets of Kampala. At least three people were killed.

Last week president Museveni announced that he will go ahead and give part of the forest amidst sugar shortage. And the sentiments haven’t changed. The Mabira Forest is an important catchment area with a lot of biodiversity and this time environmental groups as well opposition parties are planning protest. Members of President Museveni’s governing party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), also opposed the give-away at meeting they held with the president this week.

On Facebook many groups have been created ranging from Ugandans Against Mabira Forest Give Away to Save Mabira Now.

Lots of discussions are going on at the moment. Ugandan Facebook user Osotto Denis wonders why the president is insisting on giving the forest and questions if the president has personal links to the sugar business:

Why is the President hell bent on giving Mabira to Mehta for some million dollars and more sugar?could it be that the President and Mehta are business partners?An investigation into how much of scoul and other investments Mehta actually owns should be carried out, I have a feeling we will find the answer as to why M7 is hell bent on decimating Mabira.

Patricia Sembuse is thankful for the Buganda Kingdom and the church, which have offered alternative lands to the sugar corporation in a move to save Mabira:

Mubende – Mityana road has a lot of inhabited land, why doesnt SCOUL go there and so many other areas? We thank the Kabaka of Buganda and Mukono Anglican church for the offers!

Scoul is owned by a Ugandan of Indian origin and the forest give-away has resurrected discussions on divides between the Indian and native Ugandans. This is largely because the

Written by Rosebell Kagumire