UPDF impounds truck with 146 bags of charcoal in Amuru

The UPDF has impounded a Fuso truck loaded with 146 bags of charcoal in Amuru, headed for Gulu

According to the UPDF 4th infantry division public information officer Captain Ahmed Hassan Kato, the truck registration number, UBH 311U was intercepted in a joint operation with the Internal Security Organisation(ISO).

“The charcoal dealers tried to conceal the charcoal with maize so as to beat our points but we had got intelligence information leading to the interception,” Capt Kato said.

He said the truck and the merchandise are now parked at Amuru Central Police Station  pending investigations while the driver, Andrew Yiga and the vehicle occupants are also recording statements.

" As the UPDF, we are aware of the new trick that the charcoal traders have invented, they have started to use URA fake  seals and receipts from the Sub county administrators while others load maize and other agricultural products on top of the bags of charcoal.”

Capt Kato said the dealers also try to avoid the main roads and use the feeder roads to join to the main after dogging the checkpoints but said all these tricks are known.

“We thank the community for the cooperation. The fight for the protection of our environment should not only be left on the hands of the security. It is a joint effort that we must invest in if we are to protect mother nature in the Northern region. “

Capt Kato also appealed to all stakeholders in Northern Uganda to support the fight against the illegal charcoal trade by giving timely and accurate information to the enforcement officers .

He insisted that Presidential Executive Order No.3 that banned charcoal trade is still standing and that they will enforce it to the latter.