Activists want tougher laws against cutting trees
Kampala. Environmental activists have asked government to revise forest laws with a view of establishing tougher punishment that would deter the high rates of forest depletion.
Dr Ronald Naluwairo, a lecturer at the School of Law, Makerere University, said the current legal framework on forest management cannot discourage encroachers on natural forest reserves because it is weak.
“Our legal framework gives a lot of discretion to judicial officers in determining the punishment. There is need to reduce the discretion of judicial officers in sentencing convicts,” said Dr Naluwairo.
“Instead of prescribing maximum penalties as is the current case, the law should prescribe minimum penalties. This is the approach in Kenya and Tanzania,” he added.
Dr Naluwairo made the remarks while presenting a report titled; “Legal Reforms for Forest Justice in Uganda: Some Lessons from Kenya and Tanzania” at a meeting hosted by Care International in Kampala last week.
The meeting sought to identify challenges and develop strategies to save the country’s remaining natural resource.
Dr Naluwairo said the revision in the law of forest management should seek to increase penalties that reflect the economic value of forests as well as providing incentives for community policing and whistle-blowers that provide information for successful prosecution of forest crimes.
Ms Delphine Pinault, the country director of Care International, said there is need for political will to cause the required change.
