By Jennifer Acheng
The Kotido district leaders have issued a fresh warning against felling of trees for erecting traditional wooden fences, commonly known as “alaar”.

Traditionally the Karamojongs often erect thorny or wooden fences encircling their homesteads for protection against raids and other cattle rustlers and wild animals. However, following the presidential executive order 3 banning felling of trees and commercial charcoal business, locals have been warned against the vice.
The warning follows last week’s incident, where the Kotido resident district commissioner, Ambrose Onoria intercepted multiple trucks filled with firewood suspected to be for fencing homes around Kotido.
Onoria says upon intercepting the said trucks, he discovered that the firewood owners were issued with receipts of 20,000 shilling for each lorry, by the authorities from Kotido North division.
He said he subsequently issued a warning to the culprits, further condemning the practice, saying it contravenes the presidential executive order 3
Emmanuel Lodio, the Kotido district speaker, who ordered for the interception of the vehicles says there is need for communities to shun the traditional ways of fencing homes, further tasking the local leaders to engage locals in talks discouraging them from such practices.
Since May 19th 2023, when the executive order 3 was issued, the security forces say they have so far recovered over 3,429 bags of charcoal across the region, adding that there should be a concerted effort from all to ensure that the environment is protected.
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