Oxfam “land grab” Report in Pictures
Last month, Oxfam released a report in which it pinned Uganda of evicting thousands to give land to a British forest company, New Forests Company (NFC) to plant trees. In the report, at least 22,500 people lost their homes and land and many have been left destitute, without enough food and money to send their children to school.
A displaced boy is seen seated near one of many makeshift houses built since the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Police forcefully evicted up to 20.000 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts to allocate the land to New Forests Company (NFC) to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
New Forests Company (NFC) was accused by locals of participating in their eviction after it was granted a license to establish three timber plantations on 20,000 hectares of land in 2004, the report said.
In the past few weeks, Oxfam has reported that members of the evicted community have reportedly been intimidated and harassed after questioning by workers from the New Forests Company (NFC).
I made a trip to Kiboga and Mubende districts to document the lives of such displaced communities and below are their stories.
Olivia Mukapulesda who lost a child does her home chores next to her makeshift house she built since the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Police forcefully evicted her and 22,499 other people in Kiboga and Mubende districts to allocate the land to New Forests Company (NFC) to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
IN PAIN: Olivia Mukapulesda who lost a child does her home chores next to her makeshift house she built since the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Police forcefully evicted her and 22,499 other people in Kiboga and Mubende districts to allocate the land to New Forests Company (NFC) to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year the company
LIFE MOVES ON: Olivia Mukapulesda who lost a child does her home chores next to her makeshift house she built since the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Police forcefully evicted her and 22,499 other people in Kiboga and Mubende districts to allocate the land to New Forests Company (NFC) to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
Olivia Mukapulesda who lost one of her children in the eviction process carries another on her back next to her makeshift house she built since the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Police forcefully evicted her and 22,499 other people in Kiboga and Mubende districts to allocate the land to New Forests Company (NFC) to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
Another displaced mother takes a break from sorting maize cobs next to her makeshift house she built since the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Police forcefully evicted her and 22,499 other people in Kiboga and Mubende districts to allocate the land to New Forests Company (NFC) to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
A displaced family sorts maize cobs next to their makeshift house built since the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Police forcefully evicted them and 22,500 other people in Kiboga and Mubende districts to allocate the land to New Forests Company (NFC) to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
A displaced mother returns from the market to her makeshift house, built since the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Police forcefully evicted her and 22,499 other people in Kiboga and Mubende districts to allocate the land to New Forests Company (NFC) to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
A New Forests Company (NFC) sign post is seen in Mudende district. NFC has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
A worker is seen watering seedlings belong to the New Forests Company (NFC). NFC has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
FRESH: A newly planted New Forests Company (NFC) seedling grows in Mubende. NFC has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
MEAL TIME: A New Forests Company (NFC) worker prepares lunch while taking a break from work in the fields. NFC has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
A pine tree grows in Mubende. New Forests Company (NFC) has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
A pine tree grows in Mubende. New Forests Company (NFC) has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
A Plantation of pine trees is seen in Mubende. New Forests Company (NFC) has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
IN RUINS: A burnt out house remains standing amidst tall after the evictions. New Forests Company (NFC) has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
Justin Dralaze, a Reuters journalist films some of the makeshift houses built by the displaced communities after being forcefully and violently evicted by National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Police. Oxfam reports that Community members who had previously spoken to the international media say they have been singled out and questioned by NFC staff. New Forests Company (NFC) has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
FRESH START: A displaced teenager passes by his former family home in Kiboga from fetching water. New Forests Company (NFC) has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
SCHOOL DROPOUTS: A displaced teenage farmer fresh from the garden in Mubende. Many in his age bracket have temporarily stopped going to school after being evicted from their homes. New Forests Company (NFC) has been accused in a report by Oxfam to have caused the forceful displacement of 22,500 people in Kiboga and Mubende districts for them to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
BLEAK FUTURE: A girl takes a thoughtful posture next to her familys’ makeshift grass thatched house in Mubende since the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Police forcefully evicted her and 22,499 other people in Kiboga and Mubende districts to allocate the land to New Forests Company (NFC) to plant trees as part of a lucrative scramble for arable land that can be used to satisfy the multi-billion dollar carbon trading ponzi scheme, which is worth $1.8 million a year to the company
Edward Echwalu - Documentary Photographer 
Africa is losing massive chunks of land to ponzi investors in a new wave that only spells slavery, spear headed by huge corporations, governments and some major universities in the USA fronted by hedge funds. About two months ago, I wrote an article on the same here http://bit.ly/oKoGxW
Oxfam has dome great in exposing this, but they could have done that 5 or more years ago when New Forest Company started….
This is touching. I’m seriously thinking of doing a documentary on this subject!
Through your words and your photography, you present a unique perspective. Through your blog, you make me aware of issues I rarely hear about in other press. Very inspiring.
Hej from Sweden,
I am embarrassed and feel so ashamed when I read things like this. Your photographs etch in ones ‘ mind and heart, all of those who are living without. Without home, safety, food and the daily comforts we all of us take for granted. The sadness I feel looking at the children and reading about the mothers’ plights, is overwhelming. The sadness in the faces and the figures stated here. are overwhelming. As a mother of color, I feel such pain for any mother placed in the situations you have shown us here.
You have achieved your goal as a photographer; you evoke thought and feeling. These scenes need to be shown, need to be seen and need to be dealt with.
Thank you
Your photography captures so much more than words can ever describe. Thank you for sharing and educating us. WE should all use our ‘gifts’ for the betterment of people!
Thanks
exhibit this beautiful images,…
its very sickening…. when will we realize that these foreigners are always up to no good especially when they throw around words like human rights, conservation, global warming and such. lets take this country back!
Reblogged this on Advocating Indigenous Land Rights and commented:
An excellent Photo report on land grab issues prevailing across African States.
Thank you so much!
the photo of the little boy is stunning. very nice
Are you willing to do a similar project on the 40,000 hectare land grab in Lakang/Apaa (Amuru District – displacement under UPDF and Madhvani)? If so, please contact us, solidarityuganda@gmail.com or post here.