The police in Koboko district have impounded over 40 bags of illegal charcoal, three motorcycles, and arrested one suspect, as other suspects escaped.
The Wednesday operation follows a joint operation conducted on charcoal to enforce the Executive Order No. 3 of 2023, which bans the commercial production and sale of charcoal and tree products.
According to reports, Police first obtained intelligence reports which revealed that some stores of charcoal had been established in Koboko and plans to transport them to Kampala were finalized.
This according prompted a team of police and other security personnel to spring into action, where they impounded more than forty sacks of charcoal, impounded two motorcycles, and also arrested one person.
Josephine Angucia, the police spokesperson for West Nile, confirmed the incident and said the action follows security leaders meeting at the regional police station in Arua, where they resolved to step up enforcement of the Presidential Executive Order number 03 of 2023 on Charcoal burning and Trade in West Nile Region and beyond.
“We passed this resolution during a regional security meeting chaired by ACP Talemwa Moses, from CID headquarters Kibuli, who also heads the Task Force for enforcement of the Presidential Executive Order on Charcoal burning and Trade on Tuesday, and the following day we acted first in Koboko following a tip-off,” Angucia said.
The impounded charcoal, three motorcycles and one suspect are currently detained at Koboko Central Police Station pending further management.
Charcoal suspected to be from South Sudan and parts of Uganda border at Busia in Koboko is transported through Koboko, Arua, Nebbi, through Pakwach to Kampala and beyond.
Angucia added that they also resolved to curb charcoal burning and trading, stop roadside selling and loading of charcoal, and not to allow motorcycles, trucks, and buses to transport charcoal for commercial purposes.
Security officials have stepped up sensitization of the masses in an attempt to discourage people from burning and trading in charcoal in order to save the environment.
Early this week, a high-level meeting was convened, which was attended by the RPC West Nile Region SSP Latif Zake, the Commissioner for RCC/RDC West Nile, Gertrude Collins Atimango, Deputy Brigade Commander Lt Col Okello, Brigade OIC, Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Regional Crime Intelligence Officer, Regional Community Liaison Officer, Deputy Regional CID, Regional Environment Officer, Regional Legal and Human Rights Officer and District Police Commanders, to resume enforcement of the Executive Order on Charcoal production and trade in the region.
With the increasing demand for wood fuels and other products, environmentalists have warned of devastating impacts if the increasing destruction of the environment is not curbed-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
