National water towers, like the Mabira Forest, are now in danger of being progressively eroded, and a report last week right here showed that clearing activities in Mabira apparently enjoy 'senior protection' with armed guards keeping prying eyes and forest wardens away from the scene of the crime.

Yet, globally there is a rush to monetize forests through carbon trading schemes, with even Uganda having a carbon trading bureau, ensuring long term financial benefits for participating governments and private sector owners of forests, but such opportunities are often brushed aside to cater for immediate needs of exploding populations and in
particular to cater for 'voters' by promising them land, political protection when they invade and occupy forests while turning a blind eye to the immediate, medium and long term impact of such short sighted actions.

Foresters in Uganda fear that if the trend is not halted – and they are pointing to neighbouring Rwanda where determined government policy has not just halted but reversed the de-forestation trends – Uganda may be bare of forest cover within the next 40 years, with undoubtedly catastrophic consequences for those living here at that time.

Global climate change combined with failed local conservation measures will be a time bomb waiting to explode in our grand children's faces, unless government and civil society can finally agree on an action plan to protect crucially important resources like forest, and to maintain and safeguard biodiversity. Watch this space.

By Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Thome