At least 20 Defenders Against Nature Crimes (DANCs) from across Adjumani District have been trained in nature crime prevention and security management to strengthen their capacity to combat environmental crimes and improve their safety during conservation work.
The initiative comes amid rising environmental degradation in Adjumani District, driven by increasing population pressure and refugee influxes that continue to strain natural resources.
The training also highlighted the importance of protecting the Zoka Central Forest Reserve, the only natural tropical rainforest in West Nile and Northern Uganda, known for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance.
Organised by Friends of ZOKA (FoZ) in partnership with Civic Advisory Hub (CAH), the training equipped participants with practical skills in preventing, documenting, reporting, and responding to nature crimes.
Participants also examined the legal and institutional frameworks governing environmental protection. Arnold Frank Lutaaya, Director of Compliance and Advocacy at Civic Advisory Hub, stressed the importance of understanding environmental laws and enforcement systems.
“While laws exist to protect natural resources, stronger collaboration is needed to address gaps in implementation and enforcement,” he said.
Security risks facing environmental defenders were also addressed, with Civic Advisory Hub Chief Operating Officer Hilder Achiro leading sessions on risk assessment, scenario mapping, and security planning.
“Environmental defenders often work under difficult circumstances. Understanding potential threats is essential for their safety and effectiveness,” Achiro noted.
Joachine Idro, a participant from Pakele Sub-county, urged fellow trainees to apply the knowledge gained and become champions of conservation by protecting natural resources for future generations.
Friends of ZOKA Team Leader William Leslie Amanzuru said environmental defenders play a critical role in safeguarding ecosystems under threat.
“Nature crimes continue to threaten forests, wildlife, water resources, and community livelihoods. This training is intended to empower defenders with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to respond effectively while ensuring their own safety,” he said.
Civic Advisory Hub Executive Director Yona Wanjala described nature crime as both an environmental and governance challenge requiring collective action.
“Communities and civil society organizations must work together to expose and address the root causes of these crimes,” Wanjala said.
A key component of the training focused on tracking financial flows linked to environmental crimes using anti-money laundering approaches. Participants also developed community intervention plans and coordination mechanisms to strengthen responses to nature crimes.
A major outcome of the training was the formation of a Defenders Against Nature Crimes Task Force to enhance collaboration, information sharing, and coordinated action across the region.
The Zoka Central Forest Reserve, located in southern Adjumani District about 50 kilometres from Adjumani Town, covers approximately 1,259 hectares. It is the only natural tropical rainforest in West Nile and Northern Uganda and forms part of the East Moyo Wildlife Reserve.
Renowned for its biodiversity, Zoka hosts numerous tree species, wildlife, birds, insects, and medicinal plants. The forest plays a vital role in climate regulation, water conservation, and supporting local livelihoods. Conservationists regard it as one of Uganda’s most important ecological assets.