Tree farmers cry foul as NFA clears forest for oil pipeline

Trees worth over 600 million shillings have been cut down by the National Forestry Authority enforcement team in Taala Central Forest Reserve in Kyankwanzi District to pave the way for the construction of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline. The affected tree farmers had leased land in Taala Central Forest Reserve from the National Forestry Authority for a period of fifty years to plant trees under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement, but had only utilized it for three years. The farmers are planning to take legal action against the culprits who cut down their trees, which they value at 600 million shillings.