Haruna Busobozi, the Northern Region National Forestry Authority Sector Manager, says that the charcoal was impounded in the ongoing joint crackdown by NFA, Environmental Police Protection Unit and the local leaders of the respective districts in Acholi Sub –Region.
While Total E&P Uganda B.V. announced that it is has relinquished 9% of the area it had been permitted to develop in the ecologically sensitive area of the Murchison Falls National Park for environmental reasons, the Afiego Chief insists the process and term for relinquishment has not been transparent.
Its location, as the host of Uganda’s sole international airport, the Botanical Gardens, the famous Entebbe Zoo and as a peninsular into Lake Victoria, gave it a niche, as an ideal destination for tourists to Historical sites, leisure parks, hotels and sand beaches. Back then, a visit to Entebbe came with a breath of fresh air as a gentle breeze from the lake swept through the town, blowing the wind softly, through the clean streets.
The roads that have so far been rehabilitated include 33km Bobi Frontiers – Awor to Ongako, 0.5km Opit to Awor at a tune of 250 million for gravelling under the low-cost ceiling, 8.9km Lakwatomer- Abole-Abili at a tune of 48 million, 8.7km Lalogi-Bario at a tune of 50 million shillings. Others include, 40km Abili-Abwoch to Wii Tochi and Opit to Awor rehabilitated under the district discretionary equalization grant-DDEG. Other roads earmarked for rehabilitation in the next financial year include 7.8km Lakwatomer- Palenga to Keto in Lakwana Sub County and 8km Abole-Lujo Awinyo -Lagwer Dola road.
Annet Kyomuhendo, a charcoal dealer in Kigongi in Central division Kabale municipality says that she now sells a sack of charcoal at 30,000 from 20,000 Shillings and a basin at 6,000 from 3,000 Shillings.
On Tuesday, the residents led by the Ayivu East MP-elect, Geoffrey Feta, delivered a petition to the National Forest Authority-NFA Range Manager for West Nile demanding immediate cancellation of the lease offer of 10 hectares.
Gad Ahimbisibwe Rugaju, the Kanungu Deputy Resident District Commissioner said that all sand mines in the district will remain closed until standard sand mining measures are put in place.
Frank Kiguli, one of the area leaders says that hundreds of vendors have totally lost business since the onset of the heavy rains, which flooded their stalls. He says that they sometimes sell their goods through sales agents or hawkers who move with the goods from place to place.
The suspects were picked up in an operation led by Xavier Sekanabo, the Commander of the Environmental Police Protection Unit on Saturday evening. The officers braved the rain and stormed the camp in Apaa Junction in Adjumani leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Xavier Sekanabo told URN that the dealers who are from as far as Central, Western and Eastern Uganda didn’t any documents authorisation to trade or transport forest species. He disclosed that the suspects are detained in Gulu and Amuru Central Police Stations
Edrin Ssekyanzi, who works along Nakivubo Channel in Kampala, says that government needs to improve the drainage system of the City to curb flooding. He thinks the City infrastructure like roads and buildings are not well planned to cater for drainage.
Hellen Adoa, the Fisheries State Minister, says that MAAIF has authorized its technical team to carry out a pilot study with fishermen in the three districts to prove their claims related to the co-existence of synodontis fish and other fish species.
Joseph Singoma, the Senior Planner Kasese District says they received reports that some of the displaced persons were inviting relatives to come and illegally establish structures in the camp.
The Deputy Speaker of Council, Kyambogo University Councilor Bruhan Byaruhanga asked that the teams only scale potholes when they are ready to fill them. Byaruhanga allied fears that called potholes bare sharp adges that can cause damage to vehicles and other motors.
Ainomuchunguzi, whose organisation has launched a campaign to save the Gray-crowned crested crane, says the birds are so far the most endangered species of the African cranes.
The six are Richard Otto, Gaetano John Bosco Ouma, Michael Onono, Richard Ocaya, Geoffrey Onen and Geoffrey Kilama, all residents of Okidi North Village in Attiak Sub County Amuru district.
At about 9:45 am, Ibuje Primary School located in Ibuje sub-county Apac district received examination materials meant for Boke Primary School, which is sitting at Alenga Primary school examination centre.
Abraham Odur, the NFA Forest Supervisor for Aswa River Range comprising Acholi and Lango Sub Regions said that the illegal dealers are specifically destroying Shea trees unlike in other parts of the region.
Odur disclosed that an estimated population of shea trees covering over 30 square miles in Lamwo district have been destroyed by the illegal charcoal and log dealers.
David Kiyaga, the Ntenjeru Sub County LC III Chairperson, says in their meeting with Col. Nakalema and NFA team, it was agreed that the land should be used by locals through planting indigenous trees as well as planting suitable crops.
