Tons Of Charcoal Impounded In Crackdown On Illegal Dealers In Acholi
A crackdown on illegal charcoal dealers has caused the impoundment of more than 200,000 kilograms of charcoal in the Acholi sub-region.
The operation was over the weeks conducted by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) in the Aswa River Range area.
The major districts include Amuru, Gulu, Lamwo, and Kitgum.
The charcoal bags and trucks are currently parked at the National Forestry Authority NFA office compound in Pece-Laroo division and police barracks in Gulu City.
John Giribo, the Acting Range Manager for Aswa says that the crackdown on illegal dealers was conducted jointly by the agency and sister forces.
He explained that they await a court decision to determine the fate of the dealers.
The vehicles were impounded as they were being driven out of the region with over 200 tons of charcoal.
Drivers and businessmen and Women dealing in charcoal flooded the National Forestry Authority office in Gulu demanding the Range manager to release their charcoal trucks.
Michael Lakony the Amuru Chairperson whose district has been highly affected described the action as a state of lawlessness.
On the 24th of May 2023, President Yoweri Museveni issued an executive order banning tree cutting and charcoal production.
This order on the commercial charcoal trade came as a result of the increasing rate of forest destruction.
However, some of the businessmen whose charcoal and vehicle were impounded have faulted the security and national forestry authority for selective enforcement and threatened to challenge it in the courts of law.
