The UPDF has in a joint operation with the Internal Security Organisation impounded a Fuso truck loaded with 146 bags of charcoal in Amuru.
The truck was headed to Gulu.
The UPDF 4th infantry division public information officer Captain Ahmed Hassan Kato said the truck registration number, UBH 311U was intercepted in an intelligence led operation.
“The dealers tried to conceal the charcoal with maize so as to beat our checkpoints but we had earlier got information about the truck. We followed them throughout the night with the help of the community from Apaa until today when we captured it,”Capt Kato said on Saturday.
” As the UPDF, we are aware of the new trick that the charcoal traders have invented where they use URA fake seals and receipts from the Sub county administrators while others load maize and other agricultural products on top of the bags of charcoal.”
He said the trucks try to avoid the main roads and use the feeder roads to join to the main after dodging the checkpoints.
Capt Kato however applauded the community for cooperating with security forces in the fight against charcoal trade.
“The fight for the protection of our environment should not only be left on the hands of the security. It is a joint effort that we must invest in if we are to protect mother nature in the Northern region. “
He also appealed to all stakeholders in Northern Uganda to support the fight against the illegal charcoal trade by giving timely and accurate information to the enforcement officers .
He insisted that Presidential Executive Order No.3 that banned charcoal trade is still standing and that they will enforce it to the latter.
In May last year, President Museveni signed an executive order banning tree cutting for commercial charcoal production in Northern Uganda.
To this, he deployed UPDF and Police to intercept and impound any vehicle found carrying charcoal.
Despite this, charcoal trade has been ongoing with trucks loaded entering Kampala every day.
It was reported that the trucks are either protected by police officers or bribe their way out of checkpoints.
