Kikuube resident fatally shot in NFA operation on charcoal

KIKUUBE - A 50-year-old man in Kikuube district was allegedly shot dead by National Forestry Authority (NFA) officers, while his son was left seriously injured during an operation against illegal charcoal burning in Bugoma Forest Reserve.

The deceased, Ronald Munyasonza, a resident of Rwekobe village, Nyairongo, Kaseta parish, Kabwoya subcounty, was shot on Sunday, March 23, at around 2 pm.

The Rwekobe village chairperson, Felex Akakwasa, said NFA officials raided Munyasonza’s home, suspecting that he had illegally obtained charcoal from the forest reserve.

Akakwasa stated that the officers found four sacks of charcoal at the deceased’s home and attempted to confiscate them.

However, Munyasonza resisted, arguing that he had produced the charcoal from trees harvested on his own farm. In the altercation that followed, he was shot in the chest and died instantly, while his son, Bosco Tuikunde, was shot in the leg.

“The officers found the charcoal in his house and tried to take it, but he refused, insisting that it was from his farm. In the process, they shot him dead and left his son injured,” Akakwasa said.

Following the shooting, the NFA officers fled the scene, leaving behind both the charcoal and Munyasonza’s body.

Tuikunde was initially rushed to Kyangwali Health Centre IV but was later transferred to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital for further treatment.

Albertine Police spokesperson, Julius Hakiza, confirmed the incident, stating that officers from Kyarushesha Police Post in Butoole parish, Kyangwali subcounty, had been dispatched to investigate the incident.

When contacted, Boaz Basigirenda, the NFA range manager for the Budongo system, said the matter was under police investigation.

He added that, according to reports from his field officers, the shooting resulted from an alleged attack on the NFA team by residents.