Jude Pitua, a former forest supervisor at the Wandede Mabira Central Forest Reserve, has been charged with neglect of duty for allegedly failing to protect the forest.
On April 30, 2024, Pitua was charged at the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala, located at Nakasero, and subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison until May 9, 2024, after failing to provide substantial sureties.
Pitua is facing charges alongside former sector manager Phillipson Mugumya, before Senior Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit.
The prosecution alleges that between February 2022 and February 2023, at the Lwankima sector of the Mabira Central Forest Reserve in Buikwe district, while employed by the National Forestry Authority and tasked with preserving the forest, Pitua neglected his duty, resulting in its destruction.
According to the prosecution, Pitua allegedly failed to prevent encroachers from exploiting the forest, leading to its degradation.
Senior State Attorney Nicholas Kawooya, from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), informed the court that inquiries into the case have been completed.
Kawooya requested the court to issue a criminal summons for Mugumya to appear in court on May 9 and respond to the charges. The court granted the application for the summons.
