Crime
Over 200 charcoal bags impounded in Kitagwenda District
Over 100 bags of charcoal have been impounded by the office of the Resident District Commissioner together with the Natural Resource Officer Kitagwenda District.
The development happened in Kagoma cell, in Kitagwenda town council during an ongoing crackdown on the illegal charcoal trade in the district.
Meanwhile, the authorities are also hunting for people who have cleared Kagoma wetland reportedly with an intention of carrying out cultivation.
According to Deputy RDC Sam Evidence Orikunda, the charcoal was impounded in the ongoing joint crackdown by the Natural Resources Office and the local leaders in the wake of environmental degradation concerns.
Orikunda says massive encroachment shot up during the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, as people try to look for alternative sources of income.
He added that they have taken the charcoal bags to police and they will be auctioned according to the law as they continue pursuing for the culprits.
The leaders are starting sensitization campaigns on environment conservation in the district after recording changing weather patterns that has affected agriculture production.
The district Natural ResourcesOfficer Catherine Kirungi said the wetland destruction is alarming. Adding that they acted on tip-off from community members that have been witnessing trucks emerging out of the bush in the evening and night hours.
