The Request raises concerns pertaining to the World Bank–financed Uganda Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate-Smart Development Project (P170466) (the “Project”), and it alleges that the Project’s implementation is causing serious harm to communities in the Bugaaki sub-counties of Uganda. According to the Requesters, over 200 households have been adversely affected by actions carried out by the National Forest Authority (NFA), which the Requesters identify as the Project's implementing agency. The alleged harms are fourfold.
Loss of property: Requesters allege that the NFA established boundary markers for the Itwara forest reserve without community consultation or the use of professional surveying services and that, subsequently, the NFA deployed armed patrolling/enforcement teams to prevent residents from accessing their tea plantations and gardens. The Request alleges that some plantations have been marked for the Project's tree-planting program, effectively erasing years of capital investment by a community whose livelihoods depend predominantly on tea cultivation.
Lost livelihoods. Requesters allege loss of land access has severely reduced household incomes, resulting in impacts such as children no longer attending school, rising criminality, theft, and increased domestic violence. The Request states that reduced incomes have compounded the economic strain communities were already experiencing in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lack and/or insufficient consultations: Requesters allege communities were not meaningfully consulted at the time of the Project's introduction, and where consultations did take place, these were conducted under conditions of military intimidation and with community members being coerced to accept terms, resulting in some losing all their land and property, while others were left with small pieces of land.
Cultural desecration: The Requesters allege culturally significant sites, including places of worship and burial grounds, were destroyed with no trace, leaving community members with no legitimate access to these sites. In addition, access has been suspended for impacted community members to collect medicinal herbs and firewood.
The Panel conducted its initial due diligence on the Project and on determined that it does not meet all applicable admissibility criteria. The Notice of Non-Registration does not preclude the Requesters from submitting a future Request with the Inspection Panel.
