In a story as thick as the trees he felled, Sembwa Rabinson has finally been convicted for illegal logging in Mabira Forest.
The Makindye Chief Magistrates Court slapped Sembwa with a 12-month jail term after he was found with over 200 pieces of timber, all illegally harvested from the lush Mabira.
Sembwa, well-known for dodging justice like a fish in water, has been arrested multiple times. But this time, the law got a firm grip on him, thanks to a thorough investigation by Anti Graft Court and the CID. The duo cracked down hard on him, following a directive from the President himself to put a stop to illegal forest destruction.
The President, famously protective of Uganda’s green heritage, once declared, “Whoever destroys forests is an enemy of the country.” For he understands, as many do, that when one part of nature’s delicate system is disturbed, the whole system feels the blow.
Uganda’s forests, like many treasures, are being chipped away at an alarming rate. Over half a million acres are lost each year, which is equivalent to 43 football fields vanishing every hour.
In 2021 alone, the country lost 49,000 hectares of tree cover, leading to carbon emissions equal to 23.5 million tonnes. These figures are a sobering reminder of what stands to be lost if forest destroyers continue unchecked.
Sembwa’s conviction is just the start, as the investigation dives deeper into forest crimes. Findings so far point to illegal farming, logging, charcoal burning, and even creation of fake land titles on forest lands.
It’s a clear case of, “If you play with fire, you might just burn down the whole house.” Those who think they can get away with such destruction should think twice because there’s no escaping the long arm of the law, which, in this case, seems to be wrapped in vines.
In the end, forests are more than just trees; they are guardians of Uganda’s wildlife, protectors against climate change, and part of the country’s soul.
Let this serve as a reminder that every tree cut down illegally is a threat to our future. As they say, “A stitch in time saves nine, ”and in this case, it just might save Uganda’s forests.
