NAPE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ASKS JOURNALISTS TO EXPOSE FORESTS AND WETLAND ENCROACHERS

Tuesday, June 6th, 2023 | By

The Executive Director, the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), Frank Muramuzi has asked journalists to expose people who are encroaching on protected natural resources.

Speaking during a training of Albertine journalists that was held at Community Green Radio Offices in Kiboga on April 20^th, Muramuzi said most journalists fear to expose wetland and forest encroachers.

“I heard that there are influential people in Kiboga, who are carrying out activities in wetlands. You need to investigate them, know how they got licenses and publish the stories. Even the encroachers of Bugoma forest! You need to continue writing about them,” he said.

Muramuzi said the developments taking place in Albertine region need objective and courageous reporters that are ready to take on encroachers without fear.

The meeting was aimed at training participants on reporting large scale investments with case study on East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

During the training, Adolf Mbaine, the Makerere university lecturer took the participants through reporting on East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).

He said the processes and systems involved in producing and distributing oil and gas are highly complex, capital intensive and technological and makes it an underreported sector.

He, however, asked journalists to develop the passion and educate themselves on the industry so that they can report about it.

“Reporting on oil and gas needs a better understanding of characteristics and challenges to be able to know where to start from. Coming up with a strong story is sometimes costly as big money and influential investors who can use their positions and finance to influence. But such stories make us stand out as journalists,” said Mbaine.