Fire destroys 4000 pine trees in Ibanda Municipality.

By Elly Karenzi
in Ibanda—

A wild fire suspected to have been set by unknown people in a
dry bush has left a pine forest of over four thousand trees
completely destroyed.

The pine forest was planted on top of a hill in Kyaruhanga ward by the
family of Semei Kiiza in a bid to harvest soft wood ,but a group of
unknown people set fire in the bush a round 2.00pm on Monday. The
residents said that the fire originated from the heaps of dry grass
where a farmer was preparing her new garden to plant seeds after a
long dry drought which has lasted for over three months.

Mr. Charles Mugisha from Rwamabaare cell, told www.mknewslink.com Reporter that
the residents saw the black smock,rushed to the scene to render
services to extinguish the fire,but it was too late for them to
control the situation as there was too much wind. He said about 12
people who came to rescue the trees did little service as they were
speechless because the fire gained momentum and within a short
time,the whole pine forest was completely destroyed registering
losses to the family of Kiiza.

The District Environment Officer,Ibanda district, Mr. Tom Nuwagira has
warned the people who are trying to set fire to the bushes that
they will be arrested and taken to courts of law.
He said many livestock farmers in Ibanda district are complaining that some
unknown people are setting fire to the dry bushes in search of flesh
grass after rains come. He Said some farmers have lost their
animals as most of the cows and goats are starving due to dry drought.
He asked the LC officials to report the matter to his office and
police and the suspects will be arrested and charged accordingly.