Police heighten crackdown on illegal charcoal trade in Karamoja

15 July 2026, 7:41 pm

By Alexander Mackey Okori

KARAMOJA: Joint security forces in South Karamoja comprising Police and Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) have intensified imprompt operations against illegal charcoal trade, leading to the impoundment of two vehicles found smuggling 46 bags of choarocal.

The operations which started on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Nakapiripirit District is line with the Presidential Executive Order No. 3, banning commercial burning and trade of charcoal across Karamoja, Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile Sub-regions.

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 on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 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.