Katikkiro Mayiga challenges govt on high electricity tariffs
Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister, Charles Peter Mayiga, has urged government to reduce the electricity tariff in order to save the forests.
He said this will discourage people from cutting down trees for firewood.
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Mayiga made these remarks at Nyenga Subcounty headquarters in Buikwe district during the celebration of Buganda's Independence Day.
"As we celebrate Buganda's independence, government should find ways to combat deforestation by reducing the prices of electricity and gas so that people can transition to clean energy," Mayiga said.
He also emphasized the significance of this day, noting that on October 8, 1962, Buganda surrendered its independence to Uganda on condition that it maintains its special status within the united Uganda.
Mayiga urged members of parliament to advocate for Buganda's special status within the united Uganda, such as the federal system of government and other privileges.
Politicians in Buikwe district, led by Diana Mutasigwa, reported numerous cases of deforestation in the area, resulting in the depletion of government forests, including Mabira forest.
Mutasingwa called upon the Buganda government to collaborate with the central government to address this issue.
"As leaders, we have made significant efforts to combat encroachment on the government's central forest reserves, but to no avail. Therefore, I call upon the Buganda government to join hands with the central government to combat the perpetrators," Mutasingwa noted.
The Lugazi municipality Member of Parliament, Stephen Serubula, criticized the National Forest Authority for not doing enough to protect the forests, accusing them of spearheading the destruction of forests in Buikwe and Uganda at large in pursuit of profits from wealthy individuals to whom they grant land titles.
"When you go around Mabira, you find loggers transporting timber to Kampala while NFA is in charge. We are now experiencing year-round drought, which was not the case before," Serubula said.
The Kyagwe County Chief, Vincent Matovu, assured the Katikkiro of the unity and loyalty of the people of Kyagwe towards Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi.
