ADJUMANI, August 19, 2025 — The situation in the Zoka Central Forest Reserve in Adjumani has escalated into a complex issue of illegal lumbering and charcoal burning, raising significant concerns among local communities and environmental advocates. Reports indicate that these illegal activities have become militarised, with allegations pointing towards the involvement of the Uganda People’s Defense Force [UPDF]. Locally trained vigilantes known as Friends of Zoka have accused UPDF personnel of actively guarding illegal operations, undermining efforts to protect the forest.
According to community members, this week alone, over 200 bags of charcoal and evidence of timber cutting were discovered within the forest reserve. These findings have heightened tensions, as residents feel that the military’s presence is not only condoning but possibly facilitating these illegal activities. One vigilante remarked on the frequency with which they’ve observed army personnel overseeing the charcoal transportation, suggesting a troubling complicity.
Zachary Okuni Zema, the National Forestry Authority [NFA] Supervisor for Zoka Central Forest Reserve, highlighted the difficulties the NFA faces in patrolling the forest, a situation worsened by the ongoing Apaa land conflict, which has made accessing deeper parts of the reserve increasingly challenging.
“There are several roadblocks and detachments set up to curb charcoal production, yet I sometimes wonder how trucks loaded with charcoal manage to pass through them,” Zema remarked.
He further noted, “Our field teams have reported similar allegations of UPDF involvement. We have directed them to gather concrete evidence, and once we have it, we will forward it to our superiors.”
In response to these allegations, Fourth Division Commander, Brig. Felix Busizoori has denied institutional involvement, asserting that any wrongdoing is attributable to individuals acting independently.
He emphasised the UPDF’s commitment to environmental protection and pledged to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the illegal activities.
“We are looking for these individuals. Once we get them with evidence, we shall charge them, because we did not deploy them to do lumbering,” Busizoori said.
Williams Amanzuru, Team Leader of Friends of Zoka, expressed his concern over the situation, highlighting a long-standing pattern of abuse and destruction linked to UPDF.
Amanzuru also pointed to the SEA-WN Project, funded by the Royal Danish Embassy in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden, the Embassy of the Netherlands, and the Embassy of Ireland, as a beacon of hope.
“This initiative aims to empower local communities to monitor and protect their environment, fostering a sense of vigilance that has begun to expose the alleged collusion between military personnel and illegal exploiters in the Zoka Central Forest Reserve,” Amanzuru said.
The Paramount Chief of the Madi, His Royal Highness Simon Suru Baru, expressed disappointment that despite the presidential directive banning the burning, transportation, and trade of charcoal, the practice has persisted. He noted that reports indicate an increase in the number of trucks transporting charcoal.
“When the president issued the order, we were very happy, thinking that all activities related to charcoal would stop,” he said.
The chief urged the authorities tasked with enforcing the directive to continue their work until the vice is completely eradicated. He also called on local leaders to support and implement the order as intended, to help restore biodiversity and the ecosystem.
In 2021, a joint operation involving the UPDF, police, the National Forestry Authority [NFA], and leaders from Itirikwa Sub-county in the East Madi Wildlife Reserve and Zoka Central Forest Reserve led to the arrest of 27 illegal loggers: 22 Ugandans, three Rwandans, and two Congolese.
By November 2022, residents uncovered 1,128 pieces of timber at an illegal logging camp inside Zoka Central Forest Reserve. Back in 2016, the UPDF 4th Division in Gulu had set up a special probe committee to investigate allegations of its personnel’s involvement in timber plundering within the reserve, but this has never stopped the vice.
Further, in 2024, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa instructed the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to probe illegal activities in the forest reserve after reports of severe encroachment and destruction. However, the committee has yet to carry out the visit.
https://thecooperator.news/tayebwa-orders-investigation-into-zoka-forest-destruction/
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