Four remanded for burning charcoal from a forest reserve   

COURT|CRIME|CHARCOAL BURNING

The Standard Utilities and Wildlife Court based at Buganda Road Court in Kampala has charged and remanded  four men for allegedly carrying out prohibited activities in Kisisita Forest Central Reserve.

A Central Forest Reserve is a body of forest or woodland managed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) under the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act 8/2003.

Charles Kaalu, 60, Yakubu Isabirye, 50, Godfrey Sebigono, 39, and Faziri Kyaluli, 34, were on Friday arraigned before Grade One Magistrate, Gladys Kamasanyu and  read out the charges.

The group, however, denied to have committed the offence which contravenes section 14(1) and (2) of the National Forestry and Tree Plantation Act, 2003.

Upon conviction, the accused will be liable  to a fine not exceeding fifty currency points (about sh1m) or a jail term of five years.

On denying the charges, the prosecution led by Ruth Ndagire informed the court that the investigations in the matter were complete and requested for a hearing date to be set.

This prompted the magistrate to adjourn the matter until September 10, 2020 when hearing of the case will kick off.

"The four accused are hereby remanded to Kitalya Prison until September 10, for hearing of their case," Kamasanyu ruled.
 
Prosecution alleges that on August 26, 2020 at Nsonga village in Buikwe district, the accused were found in Kisisita Forest Reserve carrying out prohibited activities of burning charcoal and cultivation of crops.

The law

Section 14(1) of the National Forestry and Tree Plantation Act, 2003 criminalises cutting, disturbing, damaging, burning or destroying any forest produce or removing and receiving any forest produce except in accordance with the guidelines set out by the authorities.