Residents of Nalufenya Ward and environmentalists in Jinja City have blocked the planned cutting down of Mvule trees at Bridge street by City authorities.
This after tip off that authorities at City hall are harbouring intentions of cutting down more than 20 Mvule trees on this street to pave for construction of the drainage.
The locals led by their LCI Chairman Saad Katemba are resisting the idea which they say is hazardous to the environment.
“These trees have existed for morethan 100 years so they have great history attached to it, they also add value to the tourism potential of Jinja City hence we shall not allow anyone to cut down” said Saad Katemba
The Chairman says since the Ministry of Tourism, wildlife and antiquities is planning to develop the Source of the Nile, there is great need to reserve these trees since they’re also a tourist attraction.
Saad Katemba added that these trees were planted in lines for a purpose hence let them stay.
According to City authorities the trees are in the drainage channel hence there is need to clear them.
Police from CPS Jinja swung into to block the planned demonstration of angry City dwellers.
They activists were summoned at City Hall where they held a meeting with Town Clerk Edward Lwanga who halted the cutting down of these trees till further notice.
This is not the first time when authorities at City Hall are attempting to clear the Mvule trees at Bridge street.
The last attempt was in 2021 when they wanted to pave way for the construction of a perimeter wall at source of the Nile Agricultural show ground.
Two mvule trees were cut down by City Council which irked Jinja city dwellers and environmentalists.
Incensed by the idea, the environment protection activists mobilised on social attacked the City staff who were destroying the environment.
