The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has distributed 500 bags of charcoal confiscated from a truck to residents in Gulu for household use.
The charcoal was intercepted along the Kora-Abiri–Layibi route during an operation conducted jointly with the Regional Police Commander for Aswa West, SSP Fred Ahimbisibwe.
Following the seizure, the Commander of the 4 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Wilberforce Sserunkuma, directed that the charcoal be distributed to members of the local community rather than returned to the commercial charcoal trade.
Maj Gen Sserunkuma said the decision was intended to benefit local residents while supporting government efforts to protect northern Uganda’s forests from destruction.
He said environmental conservation requires the active involvement of local communities and pledged to strengthen enforcement of presidential directives aimed at curbing environmental degradation.
The UPDF commander also warned commercial charcoal dealers against continued destruction of forests in northern Uganda, saying security agencies would not tolerate activities that threaten the region’s forest cover.
Police arrested the truck driver, Edward Nsubuga, 45, of Wabinyonyi Village in Butuntumula Sub-county, Luwero District, and his turn boy, Mumbale Brian, 20, of Namayonjo Village, Wabinyonyi Sub-county, Nakasongola District.
The two remain in police custody as investigations continue, while security agencies pursue the suspected owner of the consignment, identified as Ssebwato.
Security agencies and local leaders said the distribution of the seized charcoal should serve both as a benefit to the community and as a warning to commercial dealers involved in the illegal charcoal trade.
They pledged to sustain operations aimed at protecting forests and enforcing government directives on environmental conservation.
