Conflict between companies that profit from forests and indigenous people could be tackled, through an industrial led approach.
A new report by The Forests Dialogue (TFD), an international group of forest experts from business, environmental, academic and human rights groups urges companies to take the lead in resolving existing conflicts and preventing new ones from arising.
The report says that conflicts in the forest sector are common and can range from wars of words to serious acts of violence.
It says the disputes over rights to land and resources can also arise over conservation priorities and access to benefits from the sector.
Uganda has not been spared of such conflicts as the indigenous Batwa in the Rwenzori and Bagisu in Mount Elgon continue to battle evictions.
Moses Mwanga, the Chairperson of the Kapchorwa-based Bennet Lobby Group is bitter that a running conflict between his people and conservation groups has been on since colonial times.
//Cue in: iWe are indigenous people #
Cue out: # so these are the injusticesi//
Over three hundred Bennet indigenous families were evicted from Mount Elgon to pave way for a tree planting carbon project where Uganda is paid by the west to conserve the forests in exchange for money.
Moses Kiptala, an advocate for the rights of the Bennet Indigenous persons says that the project has escalated conflicts between the communities and Uganda wildlife Authority.
//Cue In: iAn we still have harassment
Cue out# grow better and preserves wateri//
Kiptala says such conflicts may be addressed most effectively through reform of policy and the practices of governments and bureaucracies.
