The National Forest Authority (NFA) of Uganda has released a statement stating that four people have been sentenced to prison for encroaching on Mabira forest.
Juliet Mubi, the public relations officer for the NFA, has said the four were sentenced to eighteen months by the Standards, Utilities, and Wildlife Court at Buganda Road for degrading Mabira Forest Reserve.
In a statement released on November 21, 2023, Mubi stated that environment police and NFA law enforcement officers had detained the sentenced on October 28, 2023, in the Mabira central forest reserve.
“The offences were illegal cutting of trees, illegal charcoal burning, and carrying out prohibited activities in the central forest reserve, contrary to sections 14(1) (d) and (2) of the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act of 2003,” the statement read in part.
The sentenced loggers were identified as Gerald Mugisha, Joseph Ssekungu, Michael Anguzu, and Matovu.
The NFA requests all the forest reserves adjust communities, the general public, and the local authorities to remain vigilant and report any suspected illegal activities to the nearest NFA offices or police.