Ugandan Public Prosecutor withdraws indictment against protesters
In April 2007, a number of environmentalists organized a demonstration in the Ugandan capital of Kampala. They were protesting against the Ugandan government's plans to grant a permit to the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited (SCOUL), a sugar manufacturer, for the felling and exploitation of large parts of the ancient Mabira forest. The peaceful protest was forcefully put to an end by the Ugandan military and police, and protesters were charged. However, international media uproar forced the Ugandan government to withdraw the charges against the protesters and to nullify the logging concession.
The Mabira forest borders Lake Victoria and covers an area of approximately 300 square kilometres. It offers protection to many endangered animal- and plant species. The forest is not only a place where the indigenous population find their food and medicines, but is also a major source of eco-tourism based income for them.
Frank Muramuzi of NAPE, a Ugandan environmental agency, was one of the organisers of the demonstration. He argues that the cultivation of sugar is not of interest to the Ugandan population, because it is used for the production of biofuels. The fuel is mainly sold to Western countries without the Ugandan population seeing any share of the profits. Moreover, sugar cultivation creates infertile soil. Therefore, once the plantations are exhausted there will be nothing left but barren, unproductive land.
The fact that the demonstration drew international attention didn't stop the Ugandan government from filing a lawsuit against the protesters for conspiracy and disturbance of the peace. Thus began a period of four years in which the accused had a prison sentence hanging over them. The Ugandan Public Prosecutor's Office's decision not only ended this uncertainty, but also proved that protest could actually deliver results in a country like Uganda, which is ruled by a one party system.
Frank Muramuzi concludes: "The Mabira case clearly illustrates that when people fight together for a good cause, even guns cannot stop them. For us, the time has come to fight for our environment and to defend our rights." Both ENDS has been working with NAPE since its founding and will continue to support the organization, where possible.
photo: NAPE
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Event / 23 March 2023, 13:15 - 14:30
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On Thursday March 23rd, from 1.15 -2.30 pm, GAGGA will present their commitment to support, finance, and promote locally rooted, gender just climate and water solutions within the Water Action Agenda. This event will inspire other stakeholders to join in their commitment, while presenting inspiring examples of such solutions presented by local women from Nepal, Kenya, Paraguay, Mexico, and Nigeria.
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Online side event at the UN Water conference in New York
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Publication / 21 March 2023
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News / 21 March 2023
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Press release / 20 March 2023
A Transformative Water Pact : A radical response to the global water governance crisis
Academics and civil society representatives from around the world came together to articulate an alternative vision and framework for water governance, in the run-up to the UN Water Conference 2023 in New York. The Transformative Water Pact was developed in response to the continued exploitation of nature, neglect of human rights and the extreme power-imbalances that characterize contemporary water governance throughout the world. It details an alternative vision of water governance based on the tenets of environmental justice, equality and care.
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Publication / 15 March 2023
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Publication / 15 March 2023
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Publication / 9 March 2023
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Press release / 9 March 2023
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Publication / 9 March 2023
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Event / 5 March 2023, 13:00
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News / 4 March 2023
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Event / 2 March 2023, 14:00 - 15:30
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More information about this event is available on Landportal.org
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Letter / 28 February 2023
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News / 20 February 2023
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Letter / 20 February 2023
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News / 6 February 2023
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News / 5 February 2023
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News / 10 January 2023
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Video / 31 December 2022
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At Both ENDS, we were happy to finally be able to meet many of our partners again in 2022. Although digital meetings are here to stay, they will never beat a live encounter every once in a while where we get to know each other's contexts, learn from each other and motivate and inspire one another.
But be it live or online, together we will work towards a green, just and healthy 2023!