Gulu businesswoman remanded over shea tree destruction

23 September 2026, 12:49 pm

By Agness Agilo

Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded a prominent businesswoman to Gulu Central Prison over the alleged illegal destruction of protected indigenous tree species for commercial charcoal production, in direct defiance of a presidential directive.

Oliver Nalumyimba, a resident of Okumcan Village, Ogwari Parish, Omel Subcounty in Gulu District, was yesterday Tuesday 22 September, 2026 remanded by Chief Magistrate Augustine Alule Koma until September 27, 2026, as investigations continue.

Nalumyimba was arrested about two weeks ago following a community gathering held on 6th September 2026, attended by top district officials and security personnel. Community members accused her of spearheading the clearance of indigenous trees, particularly the highly valued Shea nut trees, for charcoal burning for the past six to seven years.

She was charged with two counts: moving forest products without the consent of the authorities and illegally removing forest products. In court, she admitted to committing the offences.

Prosecution alleges that Nalumyimba has been at the centre of a large-scale commercial charcoal trade that has depleted indigenous forests in Acholi subregion, where Shea nut trees are the most targeted species.

The remand comes as government intensifies enforcement of President Yoweri Museveni’s directive banning the cutting of indigenous trees, especially Shea nut trees for charcoal.

In 2018, the Ministry of Water and Environment suspended the cutting, transportation and trade of Shea nut trees and in 2023, President Museveni issued an executive order banning commercial charcoal trade in Northern Uganda to protect the environment and livelihoods. The Acholi cultural institution had also enacted a by-law in 2016 prohibiting the cutting of Shea trees.

Nalumyimba’s case is expected to serve as a test for enforcement of the presidential order with district officials warning that more arrests will follow.