Lunyiri faces fresh crackdown over charcoal burning, tree cutting

2 October 2026, 2:43 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

Authorities in Pader District are preparing a fresh enforcement operation in Lunyiri Sub-county following reports of excessive tree cutting and charcoal production in the area.

The planned crackdown follows written complaints from concerned community members about increasing tree cutting, prompting the district forestry office to begin preparations for enforcement against people involved in illegal activities.

Pader District Forestry Officer Martin Okello said his office had received written complaints from concerned community members in Lunyiri about excessive tree cutting.

He said the District Police Commander and the Resident District Commissioner had also been notified about the concerns.

Okello said the planned operation would follow previous enforcement activities that had helped reduce tree cutting and charcoal production in the area.

He said authorities were currently gathering information to identify people involved before launching the enforcement operation.

The development comes after Pader District Police Commander SP Jackson Bogere raised similar concerns while addressing the Lunyiri Sub-county Council on Wednesday.

Bogere told councillors that Lunyiri had become a major route for charcoal transportation and challenged local leaders to take a more active role in protecting the environment.

He said vehicles loaded with charcoal were using roads in the sub-county, while sacks of charcoal were also being packed along roadsides.

Okello urged residents and landowners not to remain silent when they witness illegal tree cutting, charcoal production or the transportation of charcoal.

He particularly warned against the cutting of shea nut trees, which he identified among the protected tree species.

He asked residents to report suspected activities immediately rather than waiting until offenders have left the area.

He also called on sub-county councillors to play a greater role in reporting environmental offences, saying they represent communities at the local level and should relay complaints to forestry authorities for timely action.

Okello said the responsibility for protecting trees should not be left to government enforcement teams alone.

He urged residents to begin planting trees on their own land instead of waiting for seedlings from the district or development partners.

Okello said the Forestry Office was also prepared to distribute forms at sub-county level for residents interested in tree planting so their requests for seedlings could be considered in future distribution programmes.

He urged residents to take advantage of the expected rains to begin planting trees and contribute to restoring the area’s tree cover.

The Forestry Office said the planned enforcement will target illegal tree cutting, charcoal production and the movement of charcoal, while residents and local leaders are being encouraged to provide timely information to support the operation.