Illegal pit sawyers kill two forest officers
Jan 15, 2009
TWO members of the National Forestry Authority in Masaka district have been killed in Bukakata forest by illegal pit sawyers, who camped in the forest on Wednesday.
By Gerald Tenywa
and Ali Mambule
TWO members of the National Forestry Authority in Masaka district have been killed in Bukakata forest by illegal pit sawyers, who camped in the forest on Wednesday.
According to Hudson Andrua, the director of natural forests at the authority, clashes between the forestry staff and illegal loggers were becoming common.
He, however, said this was the first time staff had been killed.
Andrua named the deceased as Alfred Ezati, who worked as a forest supervisor and a patrol man, Emmanuel Assimwe.
“We do not know where to start,†Andrua said.
“It is a big sacrifice to protect the natural forests. This case involving death is extreme,†he added.
Quoting reports from his staff in Masaka, Andrua said the staff at Bukakata responded to a tip-off that illegal pit sawyers were cutting down trees.
“The intervention started at 10:00am and culminated into a fight that resulted into the death of the two officers,†he explained.
Andrua said the survivor, Charles Kabogare, a patrol man, spent the whole day in the forest trying to get out. He managed to escape on Thursday morning and reported to the Police at 10:00am yesterday.
“One suspect has been arrested,†Andrua said.
“We hope justice will be delivered expeditiously because these forests we are dying for benefit all Ugandans and they should be protected,†he said.
Damian Akankwasa, the executive director of the authority, said he had written to security agencies to support the patrol teams.
He, however, said the process to secure the back up was slow.
Akankwasa accused the local people, including politicians of fuelling illegal activities in the forest reserves.
“It is difficult to protect the forests without the support of the local people.
Politicians have been inciting the public to fight our staff,†Akankwasa said.
He cited Mukono as one of the hostile areas where staff had been beaten and raped.
Bukakata forest is located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Buggala.
The forest is under intense pressure due to the increasing demand for timber, charcoal and firewood.
The environment minister, Maria Mutagamba, recently set up a timber-tracking unit to crackdown on the illegal trade of forest products.
and Ali Mambule
TWO members of the National Forestry Authority in Masaka district have been killed in Bukakata forest by illegal pit sawyers, who camped in the forest on Wednesday.
According to Hudson Andrua, the director of natural forests at the authority, clashes between the forestry staff and illegal loggers were becoming common.
He, however, said this was the first time staff had been killed.
Andrua named the deceased as Alfred Ezati, who worked as a forest supervisor and a patrol man, Emmanuel Assimwe.
“We do not know where to start,†Andrua said.
“It is a big sacrifice to protect the natural forests. This case involving death is extreme,†he added.
Quoting reports from his staff in Masaka, Andrua said the staff at Bukakata responded to a tip-off that illegal pit sawyers were cutting down trees.
“The intervention started at 10:00am and culminated into a fight that resulted into the death of the two officers,†he explained.
Andrua said the survivor, Charles Kabogare, a patrol man, spent the whole day in the forest trying to get out. He managed to escape on Thursday morning and reported to the Police at 10:00am yesterday.
“One suspect has been arrested,†Andrua said.
“We hope justice will be delivered expeditiously because these forests we are dying for benefit all Ugandans and they should be protected,†he said.
Damian Akankwasa, the executive director of the authority, said he had written to security agencies to support the patrol teams.
He, however, said the process to secure the back up was slow.
Akankwasa accused the local people, including politicians of fuelling illegal activities in the forest reserves.
“It is difficult to protect the forests without the support of the local people.
Politicians have been inciting the public to fight our staff,†Akankwasa said.
He cited Mukono as one of the hostile areas where staff had been beaten and raped.
Bukakata forest is located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Buggala.
The forest is under intense pressure due to the increasing demand for timber, charcoal and firewood.
The environment minister, Maria Mutagamba, recently set up a timber-tracking unit to crackdown on the illegal trade of forest products.