By Alexander Mackey Okori
SOUTH KARAMOJA: Joint security forces in Nakapiripirit District have intercepted two vehicles loaded with 46 bags of illegal charcoal, contrary to the Presidential Executive Order No. 3, banning commercial burning and trade of charcoal across Karamoja, Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile Sub-regions.
The vehicles were intercepted in separate operations conducted by the joint security forces comprising Police and Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) to crackdown taxis and trucks smuggling charcoal out of Karamoja Sub-region.
Mike Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson said the vehicles were intercepted while trying to exit Nakapiripirit District to Mbale city.
In the latest incident, a Fuso truck with registration number UBF 127S that was carrying twenty bags of charcoal and two occupants, was seized at Lokales Girik Animal CheckPoint this morning at around 8:30 a.m.
The twenty bags of charcoal were discovered concealed in the center of empty crates of beer, according to Longole.
He stated that the truck and suspects were handed over to the Chepkararat Police Post for interrogation by the police in collaboration with the National Forest Authority (NFA).
In a separate incident the joint security forces impounded a taxi loaded with 26 bags of charcoal along Namalu Trading Center, along Mbale Road On Monday, July 13, 2026.
According to Longole, charcoal dealers who were using a taxi to transport charcoal from Namalu to Mbale were then released, with a warning to stop engaging in the illicit charcoal trade.
He added that the impounded charcoal will be auctioned once police secures a court order.
Longole observed that the operation will continue as part of the regional strategy to curb environmental degradation caused by illegal charcoal burning and trade, warning the public to desist from illegal charcoal business and any person involved in the outlawed trade.
