In Scramble for Land, Group Says, Company Pushed Ugandans Out

house_fire[Carbon Credits Kill, Destroy]

More than 20,000 people were expelled from their homes.

By Josh Kron

According to the company’s proposal to join a United Nations clean-air program, the settlers living in this area left in a “peaceful” and “voluntary” manner.People here remember it quite differently.

“I heard people being beaten, so I ran outside,” said Emmanuel Cyicyima, 33. “The houses were being burnt down.”

Other villagers described gun-toting soldiers and an 8-year-old child burning to death when his home was set ablaze by security officers.

“They said if we hesitated they would shoot us,” said William Bakeshisha, adding that he hid in his coffee plantation, watching his house burn down. “Smoke and fire.”

According to a report released by the aid group Oxfam on Wednesday, more than 20,000 people say they were evicted from their homes here in recent years to make way for a tree plantation run by a British forestry company, emblematic of a global scramble for arable land.

“Too many investments have resulted in dispossession, deception, violation of human rights and destruction of livelihoods,” Oxfam said in the report. “This interest in land is not something that will pass.” As population and urbanization soar, it added, “whatever land there is will surely be prized.”

Across Africa, some of the world’s poorest people have been thrown off land to make way for foreign investors, often uprooting local farmers so that food can be grown on a commercial scale and shipped to richer countries overseas.

But in this case, the government and the company said the settlers were illegal and evicted for a good cause: to protect the environment and help fight global warming.

Read the rest at the New York Times.

36 Responses to In Scramble for Land, Group Says, Company Pushed Ugandans Out

  1. NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 26, 2011 at 5:38 pm #

    I saw this story at Prison Planet the other day. Well, it was posted at Greenie Watch, but the source was Prison Planet. I had reservations because of the source but this is the New York Times, and it is confirmation that this actually happened. This is the kind of evil you get when you let yourself be drawn in by lies. It is no more simple than that. This is just outrageous!

  2. Rob N. Hood September 26, 2011 at 5:59 pm #

    Neil- good job holding back the cliches and finger pointing. I mean that. This could be business as usual for one or more large companies/corporations using a green leaf to cover their evil. Sounds that way to me. Similar but less blatantly evil land grabs are going on all over the planet. For farms/food, trees/paper, etc. I’m afraid this will continue as human needs increase with population. Water will be one of the next hot commodities. Could get ugly…

    The American government — which we once called our government — has been taken over by Wall Street, the mega-corporations and the super-rich. They are the ones who decide our fate. It is this group of powerful elites, the people President Franklin D. Roosevelt called “economic royalists,” who choose our elected officials — indeed, our very form of government. Both Democrats and Republicans dance to the tune of their corporate masters. In America, corporations do not control the government. In America, corporations are the government.

    FDR foiled a plot against his life while serving as President. The plotters? Well known wealthy businessmen.

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 26, 2011 at 7:40 pm #

      Are you really going to use this as a political opportunity? That is shameful. 20,000 people burned out of their homes in the name of global warming, and you see an in to push your agenda! That is sinking pretty low.

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 26, 2011 at 7:43 pm #

      Plus it is laughable that you commend me on holding back on the cliches and finger pointing then you proceed to do both!!! Shameful.

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 26, 2011 at 7:54 pm #

      Oh, and I did a little of that research I do that you hold in such disdain. The plot was to overthrow the government, not a plot to kill FDR. And it wasn’t foiled by FDR. It was General Smedley Butler who blew the whistle to congress.

  3. Joe September 26, 2011 at 11:21 pm #

    Feel deeply sorry for these people in extreme distress. Could this happen here? Yes. Gore must be sitting pretty on his Throne and does he really care? Unless it says “ching, ching,” I doubt it.

  4. Rob N. Hood September 27, 2011 at 11:50 am #

    The finger pointing is sometimes accurate perhaps. In my case at our system of government (which people like you don’t like either, or so you say continually). You guys of all people should concede that- you finger point all the time, except for the rare occasion. And FDR did have something to do with the unraveling the plot against his life. It WAS to assassinate him AND over throw the government- goes without saying right? Right. And it WAS big business leaders doing the plotting. After I compliment you, above, you then have to scold and demean me for no apparent reason other than to prove you can do so. That is shameful. (Oh I know Neil- you are all about getting the “facts” and setting the record straight…. I know I know. What would we do without you??!!)

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 27, 2011 at 1:14 pm #

      Whatever l**ser. Sorry but the plot was to overthrow the government, not kill FDR. Unless you have a source for a story that backs up what you say. You know kind of like the one below….. only your version?
      http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/Coup.htm
      “What the businessmen proposed was dramatic: they wanted General Butler to deliver an ultimatum to Roosevelt. Roosevelt would pretend to become sick and incapacitated from his polio, and allow a newly created cabinet officer, a “Secretary of General Affairs,” to run things in his stead. The secretary, of course, would be carrying out the orders of Wall Street. If Roosevelt refused, then General Butler would force him out with an army of 500,000 war veterans from the American Legion. But MacGuire assured Butler the cover story would work:”

  5. Rob N. Hood September 27, 2011 at 4:01 pm #

    Sure Neil, whatever you say. Your version of the story is so MUCH better and less evil, or something. We all bow down before thee and swear allegience.

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 27, 2011 at 4:34 pm #

      My version of the story is not my version! You can post a link to the story that you read that is different than the one I found. Maybe it was a different plot that you are talking about, I don’t know! But don’t sit there and get all sanctamonious when you don’t offer any evidence that I’m wrong, but say I am, even though I posted a link to the story that I found online after doing a search for “PLOT AGAINST FDR”. Click the link and you can read what I read, and if you want to refute it with the author go right ahead.
      You know, would it be so terrible to admit that you were perhaps mistaken? I believe you are incapable of admitting being wrong.

  6. Joe September 27, 2011 at 6:11 pm #

    What in God’s name does FDR have to do with Uganda’s plight? Simple question.

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 27, 2011 at 6:31 pm #

      Nothing Joe, but it is illustrative of how wrong he is about pretty much everything.

  7. Rob N. Hood September 28, 2011 at 6:27 pm #

    Yep, wroong… Neil, he right about pretty much everyting…

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 28, 2011 at 6:52 pm #

      Why do you bother? Why do I? I don’t know, but I do know I am getting tired of posting here again. I think I am going to take a little break. I’ll be reading, just not posting for a while, but I will jump in again at some undertermined point in the future. Later Dudes!

  8. Joe September 28, 2011 at 8:50 pm #

    Take care Neil, I’m on my way to see my daughter in California at 80 degrees. Sounds nice versus Hood’s sarcastic comments. Venice beach watching different sorts will be a vacation absent Hood.

  9. Rob N. Hood September 30, 2011 at 3:54 pm #

    Ahh, the privelged class takes another break from the daily grind…. look who’s complaining- you are the ones who diss everything I post, no matter what. The Rightys play the victim card again and walk home with the ball. No more playing for anyone if they are angwy.

    • NEIL F. AGWD/BSD September 30, 2011 at 6:58 pm #

      Just taking a break from here RNH, got things going on more important than this. I wish I could take a break from the daily grind! My daily grinder has had it’s sandpaper changed to a rougher grit, if anything.

  10. Rob N. Hood October 1, 2011 at 9:54 am #

    Well same here. I was targeting the traveler above. I haven’t had a real vacation or travel for years. Working two jobs that whole time, and currently. What I don’t like are people who are the first to complain about how tough they have it when actually they ain’t got it too bad, and many (not including myself here) that truly have it rough through little to no fault of their own. As a real society and country we can do better to take care of many problems, but the gate-keepers, the elite, have it their way and that’s where they will fight to the bitter end to keep it. All the while dividing the country into two unhappy groups against eachother. My side and your side. It works out beautifully for the elite. Always has. That is until a real revolution occurs and the rabble (us) get so peeved we set aside our differences and attack the true oppressors and evil doers. History is repetitive of this cycle.

  11. Joe October 2, 2011 at 12:31 am #

    A person takes two days off to see his daughter and get’s chastised as an “Elite”? I assume that it she had lived in Des Moine, Iowa that would be OK? I go where she lives, not were a liberal tells me I can or cannot go! By the way, have been in constant contact with my business and working daily just like you Mr. Hood. Forgot, that does not matter to you. Negativity flows from your mouth, always.

  12. Rob N. Hood October 2, 2011 at 10:08 am #

    Oh, well with the added info I did over-state my case apparently. By I did explain very nicely, I think, where it comes from, and why you still fall into that fringe category. I realize you are probably not a “real” elite. But compared to MANY people, even a few days off and a plane ticket are too costly these days. Instead of being truly thankful and humble for your good fortune, such as it is, you are always on the attack for those who you deem less worthy. THAT is my complaint. As for flowing negativity you don’t seem to shrink from it much yourself. Having you pots calling the kettles black ALL THE TIME is juvenile and hypocritical. YOU ARE NOT A VICTIM- you are only programmed to feel like one. There are true victims in the world and this society (again- not counting myself really in that category either because I have just enough to make live livable for my family).

  13. Sam October 3, 2011 at 6:31 am #

    I do not understand why people have to fight all the time, it is disgusting to read. Here I am just trying to learn a counter agrument to global climate change for my debate tomorrow, and the only discussion I can find doesn’t even talk about the issues. Why do you think that climate change is a hoax? I understand media play-ups, and I don’t necessarily agree with all the information that come out, but I recognize that there is a global shift in weather patterns, which is the definition of climate. I have been studying this issue for a few years now, as I am an environmental studies major, but I believe that it is very important to understand the counter arguments.

  14. Sam October 3, 2011 at 6:34 am #

    Oh, and I agree that it is shameful that companies use what has been coined “green advertising” to do horrible things. Even in the USA, companies use green advertising to market products that may actually be harmful to the environment. I just did a research project on the lack of regulation in the food industry concerning the term “all natural”, and I was shocked by what companies can get away with.

  15. Joe October 4, 2011 at 6:03 pm #

    Neil, thanks. Was going to tell Sam to research Richard Lindzen as well as Roy Spencer @drroyspencer.com I’m in accord with their thoughts on this issue. No argument made nor intended. Simple information given Sam as I. Good luck Sam.

  16. Rob N. Hood October 5, 2011 at 5:38 pm #

    Uhh, gosh Sam… are you suggesting we do a better job regulating (spend more money on it), and have some stricter laws re: corporate malfeasence? Watchoo talkin’ bout Sammy?! Ohhh, you’re one of those greenies…. I see Joe and Neil are on their best behavior. I wonder why. It’s nice to see.

  17. joe October 6, 2011 at 10:18 pm #

    No, we are not on our “best behavior,” we are simply answering a direct question raised. There is a difference .

  18. Rob N. Hood October 8, 2011 at 7:47 am #

    Once again I am wrong. Thanks for pointing that out… once again. It would be a miracle, perhaps, for you to ever agree with someone who you have already made up your mind about. I’m so sorry I complimented you. My mistake. Glad to see some things don’t change… not really.

  19. Joe October 9, 2011 at 10:47 pm #

    Sir Hood, I’m always on my best behavior. Thanks for the compliment. You don’t wish to see me in my worst behavior. Trust me.

  20. Rob N. Hood October 10, 2011 at 4:04 pm #

    Trust me, I don’t. Wouldn’t want to meet any wing-nut in a dark alley actually.

  21. joe October 10, 2011 at 10:27 pm #

    Well lit is always better. Can see your opponent. Remember one thing. Always keep the light behind you. Never fails. Trust me. A simple factual statement.

  22. Rob N. Hood October 13, 2011 at 4:58 pm #

    ooohhh….spooooky

  23. Rob N. Hood October 14, 2011 at 3:57 pm #

    Also spooky- ya never know if it will Joe or joe….! Split personality…

  24. Rob N. Hood October 16, 2011 at 9:22 am #

    Two different Joes, both channeling our long lost Paul the elder…??

  25. Joe October 17, 2011 at 10:59 pm #

    Try me with the light in your eyes. You will see what I speak.

  26. Rob N. Hood October 31, 2011 at 6:34 pm #

    Weirdo

  27. Joe November 25, 2011 at 12:14 am #

    Called covering your backside which I do daily.

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