By KT Reporter
Agago District clan leaders, with support from the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) 5th Division Infantry, on Sunday arrested 26 suspects, including a local leader, over the alleged cutting of shea nut trees for charcoal production. The arrests are part of a renewed effort to stop the felling of shea nut trees, in violation of Presidential Executive Order No. 3 of 2023.
The operation, conducted in Laperebong, Kotomor, and Arum sub-counties, led to the seizure of machetes, hoes, and bags of charcoal. The suspects are being held at Patongo Central Police Station and have been charged with illegal tree cutting under Ref. 09/16/11/2025.
Esther Adong, a resident of Twon Okun Village, said the destruction continues because businesspersons cut trees at night, leaving residents fearful that their trees might be felled if unattended. Stephen Opiyo attributed the continued tree destruction to biased enforcement, claiming that environmental regulations target only the poor while officials and influential individuals cut trees with impunity.
“Several trucks of charcoal continue to pass daily to Kampala, and they go through roadblocks. People see that there is no restriction. If all these trucks were impounded, the cutting of trees would have ended,” Opiyo said.
He added that the crackdown is concentrated in only a few areas. “In some places, there are no shea nut trees left at all. Leaders should learn to be proactive and not wait for problems to escalate before taking serious action,” he said.
Sunday Okot, LCIII Chairperson of Arum Sub-county, said LC1 Chairperson Kilama Bosco was arrested for assaulting team members implementing the anti-shea nut tree operation. Okot urged the community to see the arrest as renewed action against environmental destruction and to stop cutting the endangered species.
Gunter Ipina said poverty and lack of capital forced him into dealing with shea nut trees. He appealed to the government to provide tree seedlings for alternative charcoal production and to train communities on other livelihood options.
Rwot Kassimiro Ongom, Chief of the Kotongo Clan, who has led anti-shea tree destruction operations for years, acknowledged ongoing challenges, including a lack of cooperation from other district leaders. He expressed confidence that UPDF involvement will yield positive results.
A mini-survey conducted by Rwot Ongom shows that between May 2025 and the present, at least 2,500 shea nut trees were destroyed in Laperebong Sub-county and 2,800 in Arum Sub-county.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
