By Tolit Ivan
Seventeen (17) suspected illegal charcoal dealers have been arrested and more than 1,000 bags of charcoal impounded during a three day intelligence-led operation inside Aswa Ranch in Angagura sub county, Pader district.
The suspects, whose identities had not been disclosed by press time, are currently being held at Pader Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Stephen Okello Freddie, the Local Council One Chairperson, Angagura Sub County, said the arrested suspects along with others still at large are believed to be responsible for the continued destruction of trees within the Aswa Ranch.
Amos Asiimwe Banji, the Pader Resident District Commissioner, confirmed the arrests and the seizure of the charcoal but declined to disclose further details.
Forest destruction in Pader District remains severe, driven largely by commercial charcoal production and the illegal logging of indigenous tree species, including the endangered shea nut tree and Afzelia Africana.
Research by the Centre for African Studies indicates that at least 80,000 hectares of forest are cleared annually for charcoal production and timber harvesting across the Acholi sub-region, up from approximately 50,000 hectares in 2004.
The continued destruction of forests has raised concerns among environmentalists and local leaders, who warn that the trend could worsen the effects of climate change, reduce biodiversity, and threaten the livelihoods of communities that depend on forest resources.
