Authorities in Adjumani District have begun auctioning over 1,000 bags of impounded charcoal as part of an intensified effort to combat illegal commercial charcoal production and protect Uganda's forests from deforestation.
This action follows widespread public concern over inadequate enforcement of Presidential Executive Order No. 3 of 2023, which bans commercial charcoal production in Northern Uganda.
The order aims to address deforestation and promote sustainable energy solutions.
In response to these concerns, the Adjumani District Forest Office, in collaboration with police, conducted a series of night operations, resulting in the impoundment of over 1,000 bags of charcoal from eight trucks attempting to leave the district.
Six suspects, including two businesswomen involved in the charcoal trade and four truck drivers, were arrested and charged with obtaining charcoal without licenses and transporting it without the required movement permits.
Following a court order, district officials were authorized to sell the confiscated charcoal at shs 20,000 per bag.
The auction aims to prevent the seized charcoal from re-entering the black market and to further discourage illegal activities in the sector.
Adjumani Resident District Commissioner, Peter Taban Data, emphasized that the executive order is a vital measure to curb environmental degradation caused by charcoal production and protect Uganda's forests.
He stressed the importance of promoting sustainable energy alternatives in Northern Uganda.
Adjumani District Forest Officer, Francis Ojja, reiterated the district’s commitment to enforcing strict regulations on the transportation, sale, and export of charcoal, in line with the executive order.
"Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, are in place for those caught engaging in illegal charcoal activities," Ojja stated.
Adjumani District Woman Member of Parliament, Jessicca Ababiku, called for continued public sensitization on the dangers of illegal charcoal production and the promotion of alternative energy sources, such as briquettes and energy-efficient stoves, to reduce reliance on charcoal.
Williams Leisle Amanzuru, team leader of Friends of Zoka, expressed concern over the ongoing encroachment into Zoka Central Forest Reserve, the last remaining rainforest in Northern Uganda.
He warned that uncontrolled charcoal production and illegal logging pose a severe threat to the forest's rich biodiversity, which includes various species of trees, birds, primates, and other wildlife.
"Zoka Forest plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance in the region. It helps regulate the climate, supports water catchment, and prevents soil erosion, making it vital for the local environment and communities," Amanzuru stated.
The district's latest actions demonstrate a renewed commitment to protecting Uganda’s natural resources and enforcing environmental conservation laws.