{"id":258336,"date":"2025-02-13T12:16:53","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T11:16:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=258336"},"modified":"2025-02-13T13:28:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T12:28:35","slug":"ugandan-parliament-addresses-threats-to-zoka-forest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/ugandan-parliament-addresses-threats-to-zoka-forest\/","title":{"rendered":"Ugandan parliament addresses threats to Zoka Forest"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Last August, the call from our Ugandan partner organisation Friends of Zoka<\/a> to protect Zoka Central Forest Reserve was recognized by the Ugandan parliament. After viewing a broadcast of Friends of Zoka\u2019s documentary on Zoka Forest, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament took an interest in the issue. This lead to a fruitful meeting last month, with outcomes that could finally lead to accountability for the continued exploitation of the forest.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Header photo: The Friends of Zoka team and the Deputy Speaker of the Ugandan parliament<\/em> (c) William Amanzuru \/ Friends of Zoka<\/em><\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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William Amanzuru, Team Leader of Friends of Zoka and his team have been fighting for many years for the protection of Zoka Central Forest Reserve against massive forest destruction for charcoal burning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Parliamentary engagement on Zoka Central Forest Reserve<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The recognition for the challenges in Zoka Central Forest Reserve led to an invitation from the Parliament in January. Amanzuru and the Friends of Zoka team had a productive meeting with the Deputy Speaker and the investigative team from the African Institute for Investigative Journalism. After the meeting, the team briefly attended the Parliamentary session and were acknowledged by the Deputy Speaker.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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During the meeting, several key actions were agreed upon: an investigation into the destruction of Zoka Central Forest Reserve will be initiated; the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Natural Resources is scheduled to visit Adjumani district (Zoka Central Forest Reserve) for further fact-finding; the Committee will meet with the Friends of ZOKA team in Adjumani; and the Committee will also engage with the local communities living around the forest to for firsthand account of the challenges of Zoka Central Forest, after the visit the committee will report back to Parliament.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u2018We anticipate that this will provide thorough and necessary oversight, ensuring accountability for the prolonged exploitation of Zoka Central Forest Reserve.’<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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