Kibaale encroachers arrested - By Ismael Kasooha

OVER 30 people have been arrested in an operation to crack down on encroachers in the national forest reserves in Kibaale district.
The operation, which started last Thursday in Kangombe Central Forest Reserve, was mounted by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) and the Police.

Patrick Kaketo, the acting Bunyoro regional NFA manager, said the arrested were found clearing Kangombe forest reserve in search of arable land.
"These people were clearing the forest as they prepared gardens for the coming season," said Kaketo.
He said the operation followed repeated reminders to the residents to stop encroaching on the forest reserves but in vain.
He said the operation aimed at curbing illegal activities in the forest reserves and would continue.

Kaketo said over 15,000 pieces of timber were impounded during the operation and would be transportated to NFA's head office in Kampala for auctioning.
Meanwhile, the NFA sector manager for Kibaale, Samuel Masaba, said the operations were aimed at preventing more forest depletion.
The district Police commander, John Ojokuna Elatu, said 15 illegal encroachers had been produced in court to answer charges of encroachment contrary to the forest and tree planting act of 2003.

Ojokuna said the Police was not evicting people from the forests but was only supporting NFA.
Meanwhile, Kibaale district chairman George William Namyaka has called for the suspension of the operations against the encroachers.
He asked the people in Kangombe forest reserve to be calm as a solution is sought.
Kibaale district Woman MP Robinah Nabanja condemned the NFA actions, saying they violated people's rights.