Over Shs 60mln in fines collected from illegal charcoal dealers

AMURU-Authorities in Amuru district local government authorities have so far raised over Shs 60 million in fines imposed on lorries loaded with charcoal from the district to cities like Kampala.

The ongoing operation was sanctioned by the district forestry department and implemented by the security agencies and other stakeholders in the district. The one-month operation started on July 25, 2022.

Michael Lakony, the Amuru district LCV Chairperson says the operation follows concerns from members of the community, complaining of the increasing number of vehicles ferrying charcoal from the district.

Lakony said that they have also noted that personnel charged with the responsibility of implementing a charcoal ban are instead receiving money from the illegal traders who mostly move at night, adding that in the past one week, they intercepted seven trucks.

“In the past one week, we have intercepted seven vehicles without trading licenses and fined them. You wonder how the team charged with implementing a district by-law on illegal charcoal business tells us that there was no illegal charcoal business in the district. We have noticed that some of the people we deployed are collecting money from the illegal dealers, who mostly move at night,” Lakony said.

According to Lakony, most of the trucks carrying charcoal are from Apaa, which is among a few areas with forests, but the forests are being depleted at a very high rate.

“Most of the trucks we intercepted in our operations so far are from the Apaa area. Due to the prolonged drought, many people have resorted to charcoal burning and this is perhaps the reason why the traders are targeting the area,” Lakony said.

The Apaa area has been embroiled in bitter conflicts for close to a decade with the Acholi and Madi communities pitted against each other as they claim ownership over land. These violent conflicts often manifested in clashes have left at least over 20 people dead with scores injured and properties worth millions destroyed.

Currently, an estimated 32,116 people are living in the contested area measuring approximately 42 square miles. A visit to the contested area presents eminent forest destruction with most people cutting down trees for charcoal, and timber, while others cut the thick forests for human settlement and cultivation.

During a recent environmental awareness walk organized by the Adjumani district forest department in conjunction with other environmentalists, several houses deemed to be in forest reserves were set ablaze, which later ignited tribal clashes between the Acholi and the Madi.

Ben Anyama, the Adjumani District LCV Chairperson said there is a need for the leaders and stakeholders from the two districts of Adjumani and Amuru, to have joint meetings to among others discuss solutions to the conflict as well as sensitise the masses about the dangers of deforestation.

https://thecooperator.news/high-demand-for-timber-escalates-deforestation-in-masaka-district/

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