Otuke leaders have vowed to save shea nut trees and prosecute those arrested for cutting it.
By Acipa Doreen
Otuke – March 1, 2022: Otuke district authorities have launched an operation aimed at saving shea nut trees (yat moo-yao) from being cut.
On February 28, 2022, two men were arrested for allegedly cutting down several shea nut trees.
This operation was launched by the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and the district forestry officer. That day, during the operation, police arrested two men.
Epecu Nathan, a resident of Angaro village, Atira parish in Ogwete sub-county Otuke district was arrested after he had cut down over 140 shea nut trees.
His friend, Ogule Simon of the same place was also arrested for cutting down a number of shea nut trees.
Both are still under custody at Otuke Central Police Station. They are to be prosecuted for the crime.
Police have charged Epecu with cutting down shea nut trees (Vitellaria Paradoxa) under SD REF: SD/24/28/022022 while Ogule is also charged with cutting down of shea nut trees (Vitellaria Paradoxa) under SD REF: SD/44/22/02/2022.
Christopher Omara, Otuke RDC told TND News that Epecu was also caught with opium which he said: “Is very dangerous.”
Omara added that Epecu was doing a very bad thing including being wild and dangerous to the community.
“We are combing the district and these two will be taken to court and prosecuted,” Omara told TND News.
“The operation is continuous with no time frame and whoever is found cutting down the shea nut trees will be arrested and prosecuted.”
The operation, they said, is to create and preserve a decent environment that is good for human living and the future.
“We have sensitized the public enough and they know that it is not allowed to cut shea nut trees and so the time for talking is over because we believe that they are informed about their responsibilities.”
The LC1, LC2 and LC3 chairpersons including any member of the public are told to report anybody found cutting a shea nut tree.
According to the RDC, a presidential directive is “very clear” and added that people are “deliberately destroying the environment”.
The district forestry officer Isaac Ochen told TND News that the operation was prompted by the high rate of cutting down of shea nut trees in the district.
Ochen added that continuous cutting down of trees is affecting climate change.
The protection of the environment, he said, needs joint efforts from local authorities and other stakeholders.
Otuke said other indigenous trees will also be protected.