Ugandan High Court Intervenes in Landmark Deforestation Case

On June 24th, the Ugandan High Court granted a pivotal intervention in a significant deforestation case initiated by Greenwatch. The case, spearheaded by the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE), challenges state policies that have led to the alarming depletion of Uganda’s forest and woodland areas, losing over 2.5% of remaining cover annually since the 1980s.

In a notable move, the judge solicited insights on factors influencing biodiversity loss, emphasizing the profound impact of deforestation on indigenous communities. Notably, Alex Goodman KC and Yaaser Vanderman from Landmark contributed to the case as amicus curiae, drawing on research from King’s College Human Rights and Environmental Legal Clinic. Acting pro bono, they represented NAPE and underscored critical arguments invoking the Paris Agreement and the public trust doctrine.

Central to their amicus was an expert assessment of Uganda’s deforestation crisis, framing it within constitutional rights to a healthy environment and international legal precedents safeguarding life through environmental protection. NAPE’s stance, grounded in the public trust doctrine, asserts that Uganda’s forests are held in trust by the government for the benefit of its citizens.

This intervention marks a pivotal moment in Uganda’s environmental jurisprudence, addressing the urgent need for sustainable conservation practices amid escalating ecological challenges.