KAMPALA,Uganda – The Uganda Police Force has intensified operations against the illegal production, transportation, and trade of charcoal in Northern Uganda, warning that everyone involved in the supply chain will face legal action.
Speaking at the weekly security briefing at Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday, Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the nationwide operation is being jointly conducted by the Uganda Police Force’s Environmental Protection Police Unit, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and the National Forestry Authority (NFA) in enforcement of Executive Order No. 3 of 2023 issued by President Yoweri Museveni.
Kituuma revealed that a joint security operation carried out on July 25 in Madi-Okollo District and neighboring areas led to the impounding of several bags of illegally produced charcoal and the arrest of eight suspects.
He reminded the public that President Museveni’s Executive Order, issued in May 2023, banned the burning, production, and commercial trade of charcoal in Northern and North-eastern Uganda as part of efforts to combat deforestation and environmental degradation.
“We are now intensifying enforcement of that directive,” Kituuma said.
He warned that security agencies will no longer target only transporters but everyone involved in the illegal charcoal business, including producers, transporters, traders, and vehicle owners.
“We wish to strongly warn individuals and groups engaged in the illegal production, transportation, and trade of charcoal, as well as environmental degradation, that these activities are criminal. We are targeting the entire chain of operators, from production to transportation and trade,” he said.
Kituuma also cautioned vehicle owners against allowing their trucks to be used in transporting illegal charcoal, saying claims of ignorance would no longer be accepted.
“Previously, some people claimed innocence, saying they had hired out their vehicles. This is a warning that everyone in that chain will be held responsible. If your vehicle is found transporting illegal charcoal, you will have questions to answer,” he emphasized.
The Executive Order prohibits charcoal production and commercial trade in Karamoja, Teso, Lango, Acholi, West Nile, and other parts of Northern Uganda.
Police said the enforcement operations will continue across the affected regions and urged members of the public to support the campaign by reporting individuals involved in the illegal charcoal trade.
According to Kituuma, the ongoing crackdown is aimed at protecting Uganda’s forest resources, preserving the environment, and curbing activities that contribute to deforestation and climate change.
