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Clashes at Uganda forest protest Deaths in Uganda forest protest
(20 minutes later)
Police have opened fire at hundreds of campaigners in Uganda protesting against government plans to allocate forest land to a sugar company. Two people have been killed in Uganda during violence at a protest against government plans to allocate forest land to a sugar company, police say.
Protests in Kampala turned rowdy after demonstrators attacked a motorist and he speed off, injuring four people. Two looters were shot dead by security guards and about 20 people have been arrested, say the police, who have fired live bullets and tear gas.
Dozens of police officers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters to disperse the protestors who planed to deliver a petition to parliament.
There are reports of attacks on Asians - the sugar company is Asian-owned.There are reports of attacks on Asians - the sugar company is Asian-owned.
The government has earmarked a third of Mabira hardwood forest reserve for the Sugar Corporation of Uganda (Scoul).The government has earmarked a third of Mabira hardwood forest reserve for the Sugar Corporation of Uganda (Scoul).
Environmentalists say the move threatens existence of rare species of trees and birds at the forest.Environmentalists say the move threatens existence of rare species of trees and birds at the forest.
President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected for a third term in office last year and reports say plans to de-gazette the forest land have sparked divisions in the government.President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected for a third term in office last year and reports say plans to de-gazette the forest land have sparked divisions in the government.
Text campaignText campaign
"People were demonstrating peacefully when there was a misunderstanding with the police. All of a sudden they opened fire," Frank Muramuzi, and environmental activist told Reuters news agency."People were demonstrating peacefully when there was a misunderstanding with the police. All of a sudden they opened fire," Frank Muramuzi, and environmental activist told Reuters news agency.
Scoul, part of the Asian-owned Metha group, wants to expand its plantations in central Uganda. Scoul, part of the Asian-owned Mehta group, wants to expand its plantations in central Uganda.
Campaigners are now calling on Ugandans to boycott its sugar products to step up pressure against the government plans to hive the expansive forest land.Campaigners are now calling on Ugandans to boycott its sugar products to step up pressure against the government plans to hive the expansive forest land.
The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Kampala says parliament is yet to change the status of the forests and campaigners have threatened legal action if the forest is given away.The BBC's Sarah Grainger in Kampala says parliament is yet to change the status of the forests and campaigners have threatened legal action if the forest is given away.
Public protests over the government plans have heightened in the capital and car bumper stickers urging people to save Mabira forest have become very popular, our correspondent says.Public protests over the government plans have heightened in the capital and car bumper stickers urging people to save Mabira forest have become very popular, our correspondent says.
There has also been a text message campaign, urging people to take part in the protests.There has also been a text message campaign, urging people to take part in the protests.
Supporters of Scoul's bid for more land say the expansion of would create more jobs and income for the country.Supporters of Scoul's bid for more land say the expansion of would create more jobs and income for the country.
They dismiss those opposing the move saying subsistence farmers have already encroached on much of the forest land.They dismiss those opposing the move saying subsistence farmers have already encroached on much of the forest land.
The kabaka, or king, of the local Buganda community has offered to give alternative land for the sugar company in a bid to save the hardwood forest.The kabaka, or king, of the local Buganda community has offered to give alternative land for the sugar company in a bid to save the hardwood forest.