RUKUNGIRI POLICE OPEN GENERAL ENQUIRY FILE TO INVESTIGATE FOREST PLUNDER IN IMARAMAGAMBO

By Ronald Kabanza
www.mknewslink.com
In Rukungiri

Uganda police have swiftly opened up a general inquiry file to investigate the ongoing secret and deliberate plunder of Imaramagambo Forest in Bwambara sub- county Rukungiri district.
Imaramagambo Forest is located in Rukungiri District but the vast forest trenches up to Mitooma and Rubirizi Districts becoming one of the biggest natural forests in Uganda.
Rukungiri District Police Commander Moses Nanoka confirmed to our reporter that although no one has complained, they have opened up a General Enquiry File (GEF) as Investigations file continue.
The Police action to open up a file follows complaints raised by a cross section of people and environmentalist about the alleged vast plundering of trees in Imaramagambo.
Wycliffe Kahigimu, LC 1 Chairperson Kakoni village in Bwambara Sub County Rukungiri District told our reporter that there is plundering of trees in the forest but no resident can access the area since the area is heavily guarded.
Kahigima said that whoever questions what is going on is threatened and recently one of the residents from Kakoni village who managed to get into the forest to demand for forest spoils has since gone missing.
Kahigima identified the missing and now presumed dead as Mwebe Johnson who disappeared on March 23rd 2020 and other 2 others were found in the forest with the tree logs and captured.
Rev. Kanyeihamba Jackso, the Parish Priest of Kakoni Church of Uganda in Bwambara sub- County also confirmed the disappearance of Mwebe saying that the residents approached him seeking advice and counselling after the disappearance of Mwebe in late March 2020.
Bashir Hangi, Senior Communications Officer at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) told our reporter that Imaramagambo Forest is under the management of National Forest Authority (NFA) although it is found in the National Park under Kigezi Reserve.
Erisa Kasirabo the Head of Environmental Protection at Uganda Police said that he had received reports of forest plundering and had dispatched a team to verify the reports and not only in Imaramagambo Forest but also in Bukakata Forest in Masaka district which is also under threat by suspected loggers.
Kasirabo promised to personally intervene in the matter and ensure that those behind the plundering of forests across the country are brought to book.
He however said that he was not aware if anyone had disappeared or died at the hands of the bloggers because no one has ever reported to the Police about the matter and that’s why he advised the Police to open a general enquiry file.
Col Allan Kyagungu, the Head of Strategic Natural Resources in the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) was surprised that a forest like Imaramagambo could be plundered without the UPDF personnel knowing about the matter.
“I’m surprised about the reports and this raises cause for concern because such a national resource must be protected by UPDF” Col Kyagungu said.
Col . Kyagungu said that he would get in touch with the Police, UWA and NFA who are stakeholders in the management and protection of the forest to get deeper understanding of the issue.
“That’s a serious matter which should not be left to go, plundering a national resource is not acceptable in our Uganda of today because we have the mandate to protect it” He said.
A credible anonymous source confided to our reporter that a Fuso truck registration number UBA 378M has been ferrying the tree products like timber, charcoal, building materials and walking sticks to unknown destinations.
Rukungiri RDC Dan Kaguta was non committal over this story when contacted but promised to soon address the media over the matter.
The LC 5 Chairman Rukungiri Andrewson Charles Kateebire said that he had got reports about the Imaramagambo Forest plunder and had asked the District Forest Officer to furnish the District Leaders with a report.
Independent investigations however have pitted some district leaders who are yet to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter to be secretly involved in the plunder.
By the time of writing this exclusive story which took close to 3 weeks to gather, the plunder went on unabated and it’s not yet about to stop.