Rakai LCI chairman arrested for illegal lumbering

Mar 30, 2016

Kabiito, a prominent timber dealer is said to have been lumbering in the two forests for over two years.



In an operation to restrain the increasing deforestation in Rakai district, National Forestry Authority officials in collaboration with police and residents have arrested Kim Kabiito, the Minziiro LCI Chairperson, for illegal lumbering in Maramagambo and Namalala forest.


Kabiito, a prominent timber dealer is said to have been lumbering in the two forests for over two years.

He was arrestedon Tuesday by the concerned residents and environmentalists who pounced on him and beat him up for his actions.

However, police arrived and rescued him from the mob. Environmentalists intercepted a pickup car Reg. No. UAJ 235K which was transporting the smuggled timber from the forest reserves.

The Namalala is part of Sangobay Central Forest Reserve located in Minziiro village -Kakuuto sub-county while Maramagambo in Kyebe Sub-county.

Residents say that the forests which have been very fundamental in the formation of rainfall have been encroached on.

The operation comes at the time when the district is greatly affected by very poor rain distribution which is attributed to unchecked deforestation and wetland encroachment.

The District Secretary for Production, Marketing and Natural Resources Charles Njuba, confirmed that most Maramagambo and Namalala forests and other wetlands in Minziiro, Gwanda, Katerera and Kasensero have been encroached on.

He said that at least two or three trucks are seen ferrying timber and logs from Maramagambo forest reserve without the concerned of NFA officials.

 He explained that also modalities to curtail the encroachment have been hindered since the encroachers often connive with National Forest Authority officials who secretly allow them to cut trees after paying some money.

"Residents in Rakai usually devise all possible means of getting timber to sell in Tanzania. They end up cutting trees from forests reserves which affect the climate." Njuba said.

David Ibanda, the District Criminal Investigations Officer confirmed Kabiito's arrest saying they are still investigating to establish a racket of people he has been working with.

"This is just a beginning. We have deployed informants to identify a network of people who illegally cut trees. All officials who connive with the forest and wetland encroachers will also be arrested by all means." Ibanda warned.

Sangobay Range Manager, Ruben Arinaitwe confirmed the incident saying many trees have been cut and land used for planting. He added that they are working hand in hand with police to prosecute Kabiito.

In October last year, police summoned Yusuf Nsereko, the Sector Manager for Kyebe Sub-county and John Kayumba, the Kasensero BMU Chairman, for allegedly cutting trees from Maramagambo forest reserves.

This followed the arrested of two suspects for encroaching on Gwanda wetland and Maramagambo forest reserves in Kyebe.

The suspects namely Christopher Tumushabe and Frank Ssendegeya had cleared a portion of more than four acres of the wetland and forest reserve to plant eucalyptus trees.

Azikiwe Magenge, an Environmentalist in Kyebe Sub-county, told New Vision that such wild animals as elephants, monkeys and others have been forced to stray into people communities and wreaked havoc.

He further cited an incident where a stray elephant attacked and killed a resident in the area. He explained that their efforts to revive the natural resources have always been frustrated by stubborn NFA officials.

However, Kabiito declined to speak to journalists but Ibanda said that they are still holding him as investigations continue.

 

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