Police authorities in Pakwach District have impounded two box body trucks loaded with over 500 bags of charcoal in a fresh crackdown on illegal charcoal dealers.
The trucks, of registration numbers UBK 915/B and UBG 755/V, were intercepted during an intelligence-led operation by joint security agencies aimed at curbing illegal charcoal trade in the district.
Pakwach Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Eseru Paul, popularly known by residents as “Small Body Big Engine” for his swift action, confirmed that the trucks were impounded in Pakwach town on Sunday evening between 11- 1 AM, following an intelligent-led operation.
“The trucks were intercepted during an intelligence-led operation by joint security agencies aimed at curbing illegal charcoal trade in the district,” Eseru said in a statement.
He added that security authorities now have comprehensive information and evidence on how these charcoal dealers have been evading security checks. “We even know the landing sites where these fellows load from, including the notorious racket. But we shall not allow these individuals to flout the President’s Executive Order,” Eseru said.
Eseru said, the impounded dealers will be taken to court, where their fate will be decided. Eseru emphasized that similar operations have yielded results in the past.
The incident follows a February case this year, in which over 100 bags of charcoal belonging to a charcoal dealer were impounded in Pakwach. The dealer was arrested, and charged in court and his charcoal confiscated and auctioned off following court orders.
This crackdown aligns with the President’s Executive Order No.3, issued in May 2023, which bans commercial charcoal trade in Northern Uganda to combat rapid environmental degradation.
The authorities in Pakwach are committed to enforcing this ban to protect the environment and ensure sustainable practices in the region.
