The Commander of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) 5 Infantry Division Brig Gen Keith Katungi has issued a stern warning to charcoal dealers in Northern Uganda. According to Brig Katungi those still involve in the illicit trade, risk facing dire consequences.
He issued the warning on Wednesday September 25,2024 during an Environmental conservation meeting with stakeholders in Lango sub region.
Katungi warns them against breaching the Presidential directive on charcoal burning and transportation issued in May 2023 which empowers the UPDF to seize vehicles transporting charcoal and auction them, with the proceeds funneled into a consolidated fund.
“It has come to light that certain individuals are taking advantage of the NFA (National Forestry Authority) law, bribing local officials to have impounded vehicles released, while others are crafting counterfeit documents from South Sudan and the Uganda Revenue Authority, falsely asserting that the charcoal is enroute to Kenya”, Brig Gen Katungi noted.
Capt. David Drichi, the Regional Internal Security Officer for Lango, noted that while the UPDF has been preoccupied with Karamojong cattle raiders, local authorities have struggled to effectively curb the charcoal trade due to issues of bribery and corruption.