Authorities In Agago district have arrested five individuals suspected of illegally cutting down shea-nut trees, posing a significant threat to the local ecosystem.
The suspects, identified as: Okello Onen Richard (28), resident of Laminonyula village in Lamiyo sub-county, Lagen Julius Peter Bakat (30), resident of Dogagweng village in Arum sub-county, Oketa Patrick (27), resident of Watsna village in Arum sub-county, Canogura Patrick (20), resident of Watsna village in Arum sub-county and Okwera Peter (23), resident of Watsna village in Arum sub-county were arrested on Monday for allegedly participating in the unlawful felling of over 2000 shea nut trees, primarily for charcoal production purposes, within Watsna village, Arum sub-county.
Ben Ocaya, the officer in charge of Lira-palwo police post, has confirmed the arrest of the suspects. They are currently detained under SD reference 11/18/03/2024.
The situation is dire as Agago district has reportedly lost more than 20,000 shea nut trees within the span of five months, as highlighted in a recent report by local cultural leaders.
In response to the escalating crisis, President Yoweri Museveni issued Executive Order No.3 on May 19th, 2023, imposing a ban on the trade of indigenous tree species, particularly focusing on protecting the endangered shea nut trees.
Efforts to preserve these vital trees date back to 2016 when cultural leaders implemented a by-law prohibiting their indiscriminate cutting. Subsequently, in a bid to curb the alarming rate of deforestation, the Ministry of Water and Environment suspended all activities related to the felling, transportation, and trade of shea nut trees two years later.
Despite these legislative interventions, the illegal logging of shea nut trees persists, driven primarily by the lucrative charcoal trade, thus exacerbating the threat of extinction faced by these essential trees in Agago district.
