NAPE awarded prestigious Human Rights Award
On December 10th, 2013 during celebrations to mark International Human Rights Day, the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) was awarded the prestigious Human Rights Award by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) in conjunction with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The award is in recognition of NAPE’s long time work in fighting for sustainable use of Uganda’s natural resources and the rights of communities affected by the numerous development processes in the country. For several years, NAPE’s advocacy work has been focusing on: dams and energy, climate change, water governance, the extractive industry and infrastructure development programme; encompassing oil and gas and other minerals, chemicals management.
Amidst a number of challenges, NAPE has stood out against land grabbing by powerful and corrupt corporations. NAPE has also on several occasions criticized government and large corporation's unwise conversion of natural resources into plantations and industrial complexes, and has been at different times sued by corporations that have exhibited irresponsible behaviour towards wise use of our natural resources. Recently, NAPE has dragged to court by the Rose Bud Flower Company for reclaiming the Lutembe wetlands; the wetland is very vital for the good health of Lake Victoria.
