ENV’T WATCH: PAKWACH AUTHORITIES IMPOUND OVER 500 BAGS OF CHARCOAL

The two impounded trucks are currently packed at Pakwach central police station. Photo by Mike Rwothomio.

By Mike Rwothomio

Zombo

In a fresh crackdown on illegal charcoal dealers, authorities in Pakwach District have impounded two box body trucks, loaded with over 500 bags of charcoal on July 28, 2024.

Four people including the truck drivers and conductors were equally arrested to aid in the investigation. Their identities were unknown by press time.

Eseru Paul, the Resident District Commissioner of Pakwach,  confirmed that the trucks were  impounded in Pakwach town  on Sunday evening  between 11:00pm – 1:00am,  following an intelligent-led operation, ” the trucks were  intercepted during an intelligence-led operation by joint security agencies aimed at curbing illegal charcoal trade in the district” Eseru said in a statement.

He also added that, “even we know the landing sites where these fellows load from, including the notorious racket. But we shall not allow these individuals to flout the President’s Executive Order,”

The impounded trucks currently packed at Pakwach police station, are with registration NO UBK 915 B and UBG 755 V respectively.

Authorities say the four arrested “illegal charcoal dealers” will be taken to court, where their fate will be decided.

The incident come  following the February this year’s case,  in which over a hundred bags of charcoal belonging to a charcoal dealer was impounded in Pakwach. The dealer was arrested, charged in court and his charcoal confiscated and auctioned off following court orders.

This crackdown aligns with the President’s Executive Order No.3, issued in May 2023, which bans commercial charcoal trade in Northern Uganda to combat rapid environmental degradation.

The authorities in Pakwach say they are committed to enforcing this ban to protect the environment and ensure sustainable practices in the region.