Police intensify crackdown on illegal charcoal trade, eight arrested
“You will recall that in May 2023, His Excellency the President issued Executive Order Number 3 of 2023 banning the burning, production and commercial trade of charcoal in Northern Uganda and North-eastern Uganda. We are now intensifying enforcement of that directive,” Kituuma said.
Kituuma said a joint operation conducted on July 25 in Madi-Okollo District and surrounding areas resulted in the impounding of several bags of illegally produced charcoal and the arrest of eight suspects. (New Vision/Files)
KAMPALA - The Police have intensified a crackdown on illegal production, transportation and trade in charcoal from Northern Uganda, warning that those involved in the supply chain will be held accountable under the law.
Addressing journalists at Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday (July 27), Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the operations are being conducted jointly by the Uganda Police Force (Environmental Protection Police Unit), the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the National Forestry Authority (NFA), in enforcement of Executive Order Number 3 of 2023.
The order was issued by President Yoweri Museveni.
Kituuma said a joint operation conducted on July 25 in Madi-Okollo District and surrounding areas resulted in the impounding of several bags of illegally produced charcoal and the arrest of eight suspects.
He warned that security agencies would no longer target only transporters, but everyone involved in the charcoal business.
Addressing journalists at Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday (July 27), Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the operations are being conducted jointly by the Uganda Police Force (Environmental Protection Police Unit), the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the National Forestry Authority (NFA), in enforcement of Executive Order Number 3 of 2023. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
“We wish to strongly warn individuals and groups engaged in the illegal production, transportation and trade of charcoal, as well as environmental degradation, that these activities are criminal. We are targeting the entire chain of operators, right from production to transportation and trade,” he said.
“Previously, some people claimed innocence, saying they had hired out their vehicles. This is a warning that everyone in that chain will be held responsible. If your vehicle is found transporting illegal charcoal, you will have questions to answer,” he said.
The Executive Order prohibits charcoal trade in Karamoja, Teso, Lango, Acholi and West Nile, among other parts of Northern Uganda.
Kituuma said security agencies would sustain operations throughout the affected regions and appealed to the public to support enforcement efforts by reporting offenders.
“When the public participates by reporting these illegal activities, it makes our work easier. We shall continue with these operations across the region,” he said.
The police said the operations are aimed at protecting Uganda’s forests and curbing environmental degradation.