ADJUMANI — Police and officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment have recovered dozens of illegally harvested timber pieces from the protected Zoka Central Forest Reserve in Adjumani District following a joint operation targeting illegal logging activities.
The operation was launched after authorities received reports that unidentified individuals were loading timber, including valuable mahogany and Africana afzelia logs, from Olyui Village in Zoka Parish, Itirikwa Sub-county.
A joint team comprising officers from the Water and Environment Department and the Police Environmental Protection Unit responded to the scene.
However, the suspects reportedly fled upon noticing the approaching enforcement team, abandoning the timber they had prepared for transportation.
Authorities recovered a total of 63 pieces of timber from the forest reserve, with 21 pieces retained as exhibits to support ongoing investigations.
The latest incident underscores the continued threat posed by illegal logging and the unlawful harvesting and transportation of forest products in the Madi sub-region despite intensified enforcement efforts by environmental agencies and security personnel.
Speaking on the operation, North West Nile Regional Police Public Relations Officer SP Collins Asea condemned the destruction of protected forest resources and called for greater public participation in conservation efforts.
"Illegal logging remains a serious threat to our environment and natural heritage. We commend the joint efforts of the police and the Water and Environment Department in responding swiftly to this incident and recovering the timber," Asea said.
He emphasized that protecting forests such as Zoka is critical not only for biodiversity conservation but also for climate regulation, water catchment protection and the livelihoods of surrounding communities.
"We appeal to members of the public to remain vigilant and report individuals involved in the illegal harvesting, transportation and trade of forest products. Environmental protection is a shared responsibility that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders," he added.
Asea further revealed that community policing initiatives spearheaded by Adjumani District Police Commander SP Herbert Masembe have strengthened efforts to combat environmental crimes across the district.
"Through strengthened community policing and collaboration with environmental authorities, several suspects involved in illegal forest harvesting have previously been arrested and arraigned before courts of law. These efforts will continue until such criminal activities are brought under control," he said.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspects involved in the latest incident.
The case comes amid longstanding concerns over the degradation of Zoka Forest, which environmental activists and conservationists have repeatedly warned is under increasing pressure from illegal logging, charcoal burning, agricultural encroachment and timber trafficking.
Zoka Central Forest Reserve is a protected tropical rainforest located in Adjumani District and is widely regarded as the only significant tropical high forest remaining in the West Nile sub-region
. Covering approximately 1,259 hectares, the reserve forms part of the larger East Moyo ecosystem and is managed by the National Forestry Authority.
The forest is home to diverse plant and animal species and plays a critical role in maintaining ecological balance in northern Uganda.
Environmental experts have previously warned that continued encroachment and illegal harvesting could undermine conservation gains and threaten biodiversity in the region.
Police have urged residents across the Madi sub-region to support conservation efforts by reporting suspicious activities in protected forest areas as authorities intensify the fight against environmental degradation.