BY OKIDI PATRICK
Lira City, Uganda: UPDF 5th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Keith Katungi, has released 13 trucks impounded for transporting illegal charcoal, but warned owners that repeat offenders will lose their vehicles as they risk being auctioned.
“Today I am releasing all your vehicles. But install tracking devices to monitor where they are going. If you are caught loading charcoal a second time, we shall auction the truck,” Maj.Gen. Katungi stated.
The trucks, detained close to six months under the presidential executive order on illegal charcoal trade, were handed back to owners at 103 UPDF Brigade headquarters in Lira City.
‘We are not enemies of the people’
Gen. Katungi said the operation had cut illegal charcoal movement by 90%.
“When we started in 2023 May, dealers fled to Zoka Forest and South Sudan. At the peak, we intercepted 20 trucks monthly. In the last five months, only 13 trucks were impounded hence, the presidential directive is working,” he said.
“We are not enemies of anybody. We are implementing the presidential directive. The real problem is on the ground.”
He noted Uganda has lost 69% of its forest cover since the 1960s, warning that even areas like Nakasongola “is becoming a desert due to environmental degradation.”
Owners pledge to reform:
Truck owners who spoke during the engagement, pledged to stop the illegal trade and promote tree planting instead.
“We will not allow our trucks to carry charcoal again. We promise to be good ambassadors and discourage others from burning charcoal,” said James David, who spoke on behalf of the owners of the impounded vehicles.
During the meeting, all the 13 owners confirmed that no security personnel had asked them for bribes during and after the operation.
Small-scale smuggling persists:
Gen. Katungi acknowledged that small bags of charcoal still enter Lira on motorcycles, sometimes aided by local leaders.
“Some LC3 and spotted leaders in Acholi are abetting 2-3 bags per motorcycle but the graph in charcoal dealing is coming down,” he said.
Lira City RCC Lawrence Emmy Egole warned truck owners against repeat offenses and backed the auction proposal.
The meeting was attended by Lira RDC Lillian Eyal , NFA’s Aguti Gracious, the 4th estate (media) among other senior UPDF officers of 103 brigade in Lira city on Tuesday 16th June 2026 . Katungi said illegal tree cutting remains common in East Acholi in the district of Pader, Agago and Kitgum and warns vehicle owrners to desist from the practice of illegal charcoal trade.
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