M7 at last sells off Mabira forest

t has emerged that President Museveni has decided to go ahead with the sale of Mabira forest.

Sources say that the decision was reached at a cabinet meeting on March 16, 2007. Museveni ordered the National Forest Authority to expedite the process.

Most ministers in the cabinet meet sat very quietly as Museveni gave his usual decrees. Most of the ministers feel that Uganda's climate could be seriously affected by the cutting down of trees. They were not happy in the meeting that Museveni is using institutes of state to push his own family deals.

But they could not oppose the president in cabinet and kept quiet. This information was given to Radio Katwe by a minister whose identity we shall keep secret. Otherwise he could lose his job overnight.

Last year when the plans for selling Mabira were floated they caused a public outcry.

Museveni is a shareholder in the Mehta Group of Companies. Last year the Danish expatriate who headed the National Forest Authority was forced to resign when he refused to accept Museveni's order to sell Mabira.