Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has insisted on the proposed giveaway of part of the country's biggest rainforest despite increased public outcry that left three people dead and several injured in a bloody demonstration in the capital city of Kampala.

Museveni was quoted by the state-owned New Vision on Friday as scoffing at critics who opposed the proposed giveaway of 7,100 of the 31,000 hectares of Mabira Forest to an Indian-run sugar plant for sugarcane plantation, saying he will not be intimidated.

"I shall not be deterred by people who don't see where the future of Africa lies," the president said, emphasizing that the future lies in processing and he would not be party to a program that excludes it.

He said the giveaway would be discussed in the Cabinet and the ruling National Resistance Movement parliamentary caucus before a conclusion is reached.

Environmentalists and the general public have however warned that the degazzetment of the forest would cause serious environmental consequences to the country, urging the government to take up the alternative land that has been offered by private individuals.

A peaceful demonstration against the proposed giveaway turned bloody on Thursday when the demonstrators started attacking Indians on the streets in Kampala, leaving three people killed including an Indian and eight injured.

Source: Xinhua