By Witness Radio team.

Dear supporters and followers, we are deeply grateful for your continued support and commitment to our cause. Your involvement is crucial as we navigate the challenges ahead. Welcome back from the festive holidays.

At Witness Radio, breaking off for a holiday was not possible because we received devastating news about the sentencing of three community activists to Muyinayina prison before the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Prisoners include, Byakatonda David, Kabuuka Levi, and Byamukama Yuda. Prisoners include, Byakatonda David, Kabuuka Levi, and Byamukama Yuda. Byamukama is the Kicucuulo Local Council One Chairperson. Their imprisonment is a grave injustice that we cannot ignore.

The situation in the Mubende district is urgent and cannot be overstated. The activists are currently held in Muyinayina prison, located in southwestern Uganda, and their immediate release is crucial.

A magistrate court in the Mubende district deemed the trio’s activities, which were aimed at defending their community’s land, criminal. This unjust ruling led to a 30-month jail sentence, a grave injustice that we cannot ignore.

We chose to sacrifice our holidays to visit the victim’s local farmers. We started with visiting prisoners at Muyinayina prison. However, upon reaching the prison, we were informed by officers at the prison’s quarter-guard that the prison authority had banned all prison visits in the country until mid-January 2025 due to the Christmas holiday. We engaged the Muyinayina prison administration about our visit as lawyers, and eventually, we were allowed in and met our clients. Despite being incarcerated, very calm, confident, and committed activists felt energized by our visit.

See brief facts from the fact-finding mission below;

1. The investor, with the help of Mubende district police and other private security firms, has seized over 2,590 hectares so far and continues to expand.
2. Mubende district police and investor’s workers continue to invade the homes of the community, defenders, activists, and leaders opposed to the illegal eviction in the wee hours and cause arbitrary arrests.
3. The investor is claiming land that hosts ten (10) villages occupied by thousands of smallholder farmers.
4. The investor’s name was established as Mr. Chang Shu-mu, commonly known as Martin Chang, and his wife was Anna Kyoheirwe.
5. Locals report cases of violence and destruction of properties against the investor to police but are not investigated as all perpetrators are enjoying their freedoms uninterrupted.
6. The trio claim they were unheard of before a prison sentence was passed.
7. Locals have raised their concerns with various government offices, including the office of the Resident District Commissioner (the president’s representative at Mubende district). However, no intervention has been made, and forced evictions continue unabated.

The situation is dire and requires immediate action. We urge you to join us in demanding a review of the case file, protection of the community’s land rights, and, most importantly, a thorough investigation into the conduct of the Mubende district police and investor’s workers. Those in power must be held accountable for their actions.

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has concluded in Riyadh, marking the largest and most inclusive conference in the organization’s history.

With over 20,000 participants, including global leaders, scientists, private sector representatives, and civil society groups, the conference laid out bold strategies to address land degradation, drought, and desertification.

The highlight of the conference was the announcement of the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, which secured $12.15 billion in pledges to support drought-affected regions in 80 vulnerable countries, including Uganda.

This funding aims to strengthen food security, promote sustainable land management, and protect ecosystems from the growing impacts of climate change.

For Uganda, where over 40% of the population relies on agriculture, this commitment offers hope for combating the devastating effects of prolonged droughts in the cattle corridor and other semi-arid regions.

In a move to enhance global preparedness for droughts, COP16 launched an AI-powered Drought Observatory, a groundbreaking tool designed to provide real-time data and predictive analysis.

Uganda, with its ongoing challenges in monitoring and responding to climate impacts, stands to benefit immensely from this technology, which will enable the government to anticipate and respond effectively to severe drought conditions.

This could mitigate the recurring food insecurity and water scarcity issues faced by communities in Karamoja and other drought-prone areas.

H.E. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, COP16 President, in his closing remarks, stated:

“This session marks a turning point in raising awareness and strengthening efforts to restore land and build resilience. The Riyadh Declaration sends a clear message: the time for decisive action is now.”

For Uganda, this turning point is critical as the country battles desertification in key ecosystems like the cattle corridor and Lake Kyoga basin, which threaten biodiversity, agriculture, and livelihoods.

With only 6% of land restoration funding currently coming from private sources, COP16 introduced the Business for Land initiative to increase private sector engagement in land restoration.

Over 400 companies participated in discussions on sustainable finance, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, and strategies to mobilize private investment for land restoration projects.

Uganda, which has already seen successful private-sector participation in conservation projects such as carbon trading and reforestation in areas like Mabira Forest, could tap into this global momentum to attract more investments for land restoration initiatives.

To promote inclusivity, COP16 placed women and youth at the forefront of the fight against land degradation. Key outcomes included:

The launch of youth-led initiatives to drive grassroots climate action.

Adoption of gender-responsive policies to ensure equitable participation in land restoration efforts.

For Uganda, these measures are especially relevant.

The country has a youthful population and strong women-led grassroots organizations that are already leading efforts to promote climate resilience through tree planting and sustainable farming practices.

The resolutions adopted at COP16 provide a framework for scaling up these local efforts while ensuring inclusivity and equitable representation.

Scientific data presented at COP16 painted a dire picture of the planet’s land resources:

77.6% of Earth’s land is drier today than it was 30 years ago.

40.6% of the planet is now classified as drylands, threatening ecosystems, food security, and livelihoods.

For Uganda, this data underscores the urgent need for action.

With parts of the country already facing desertification and reduced rainfall patterns, the findings highlight the importance of restoring degraded lands like Nakasongola and tackling deforestation in critical areas such as Mount Elgon.

As COP16 wraps up, attention now shifts to COP17, which will take place in Mongolia.

Delegates will continue discussions on establishing a global drought regime, building on the momentum and progress achieved in Riyadh.

For Uganda, the outcomes of COP16 represent a pivotal moment.

The historic commitments, technological innovations, and inclusive policies offer the country an opportunity to address its growing environmental challenges.

If implemented effectively, these resolutions could help Uganda restore its degraded lands, safeguard livelihoods, and build resilience against future climate shocks, positioning the country as a leader in sustainable land management in Africa.

Source: nilepost.co.ug