ADF Disguise As Loggers In Zoka Forest Reserve-UPDF

The UPDF says some suspected fighters of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are hiding among loggers in remote parts of the Zoka Forest Reserve in Adjumani District.

Fourth Infantry Division Commander Brig, Felix Busizoori says the army has identified foreign nationals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi among those illegally felling trees in Zoka Forest Reserve.

Brig. Busizoori says they suspect some elements of the ADF could be hiding inside the heavily forested area disguising as loggers and charcoal traders.

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ADF, a rebel group with links to the Islamic State group (IS) is based in DRC and has been blamed for numerous attacks in Uganda. 

The group was behind the June 2023 bloody attacks on Lhubiriha secondary school in Mpondwe, Kasese District that left over 30 students dead.

Brig. Busizoori says while Northern Uganda hasn’t witnessed any attacks related to the terror group, it remains a major route facilitating terrorists from DRC and some parts of South Sudan aiming to attack Kampala City.

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He notes that three suspected ADF terrorists have so far been apprehended from Zoka Forest Reserve while others are still being pursued by security personnel.

To address the security threats stemming from the forest reserve, Brig. Busizoori says they are planning to roll out a programme to register all those occupying the forest reserve to identify their particulars and place of origin.

“We want to put a programme to register all the people who are cutting trees, those who are non-Ugandans, we must take them through the right procedures of immigration and they are deported. Those who are refugees we need to take them back to the refugee camps,” says Brig. Busizoori.

William Leslie Amanzuru, the team leader of Friends of Zoka, a pressure group aiming to save Zoka forest reserve however disputes the army report alleging that it’s instead being peddled to censor the conservation voices. Amanzuru argued that Zoka area currently has an army brigade and remains one of the heavily guarded places but continued to see destruction of the environment under security watch.

“My belief is that the army isn’t being honest, they know we have been against the plunder of the forest and by saying there are ADF elements, any of our concerns will be viewed as sympathizers. We want the army to openly prosecute the suspect they say are ADF in Zoka,”

The lucrative charcoal business in the disputed Apaa Township has seen a wave of migration of people from far and wide in the past months.

Security estimated about 40,000 illegal foreign settlers had entered Apaa Township between August and December 2023 majorly for charcoal businesses and excuse of engaging in agriculture.

In a major crackdown on the illegal charcoal trade, the army recently impounded over 23,000 bags of charcoal coming out of Zoka Forest Reserve destined for markets in the central parts of Uganda.

Some of the impounded trucks loaded with charcoal are currently at the Fourth Infantry Division Headquarters.

The charcoal trade has continued to thrive in the area despite the Executive Order No.3 issued by President Museveni in May 2023 banning the vice.

Brig. Busizoori however blamed security personnel comprising the Uganda People’s Defence Forces soldiers and police for aiding the illegal charcoal trade through extortion at checkpoints.

During a meeting held at the Fourth Infantry Division Headquarters in Gulu City on Monday, district security heads of Amuru and Nwoya, unanimously resolved to have army officers manning checkpoints prosecuted in case they facilitate the exit of any truck loaded with charcoal.

At least one army officer at the rank of a staff sergeant has been arrested over allegations of extorting and aiding the charcoal movement. Security says further investigation is being conducted before the suspect who is currently in custody at the Fourth Infantry Division is prosecuted.

Amuru Resident District Commissioner Stephen Odong Latek says they have heightened vigilance on the illegal charcoal trade and encouraged those attempting to profit out of it to desist.

“This is a warning message to them, please stop because you are going to lose your capital. Before you realize, you will hear the people crying to the president that they have loans. I’m trying to tell whoever is investing in charcoal to stop because you will lose your money and we won’t have any regrets about it,” He says.

Latek says they are waiting for court orders on the impounded charcoal before they are disposed off.

Zoka forest covers 6,146 sq hectares of land and borders the East Madi Wildlife reserves.  Conservationists however say nearly 3,000 hectares of the forest have so far been destroyed with the most affected areas being on the southern gate through Apaa township while the Northern gate at Oliu village, in Zoka Parish remains relative conserved.