ADJUMANI– Police in Adjumani district have detained six suspects with 297 pieces of timber worth Shs 89 million. The timber was cut from protected areas of East Madi Wildlife and Conservation and Zoka Central Forest Reserve.
The suspects were arrested in different operations carried out in late January, led by Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA]and National Forest Authority [NFA], and Friends of ZOKA, a local non-governmental organisation.
Those arrested are; Umar Senonga, Abdul Majid, Pious Kawesi, and Jackson Sentongo Jackson, under CRB 059/2023, others are Hamza Mugaya and Michael Waitaka Michael under CRB 058/2023. Under CRB 060/2023 are Mako Sulaiti, Sekati Samuel who were arrested in a different operation.
The Adjumani district police commander, Benon Byamukama confirmed the arrest of the six suspects who were charged with the illegal cutting of forest products inside the protected areas.
“We managed to process their files and they were taken to court on February 1, 2023, and the operations are still ongoing. I appeal to those people who settled in the protected areas to come out. should I get you, you will end up in court,” Byamukama said.
Ali Bhakit, the warden in charge of East Madi Wildlife Reserve, said the arrest of the suspects was part of UWA’s routine work meant to protect the two forest reserves.
“It is true that we have made a significant arrest, from November 2022 to date we have recorded 8 cases of illegalities inside the protected areas with 20 people prosecuted in courts of law,” Bakhit stated
He said UWA and other partners in Adjumani district would continue to work together to ensure that illegal activities such as logging do not take place in the forest reserves.
Amanzuru William Leslie, Team Leader Friends of ZOKA said the arrested should be given harsh punishments to deter others from destroying the forest reserves.
On January 28, 2023, the Adjumani and Amuru district security committees in a joint meeting resolved to give an ultimatum of seven days for the loggers and charcoal dealers in the protected areas to vacate voluntarily.
Adjumani resident district commissioner, Peter Taban Data said although people have started leaving voluntarily, the two district security committees are finalising their operational order and logistics manual to start joint operations.
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