MAYUGE, UGANDA: The locals in Mayuge district whose motorcycles and bicycles were impounded by Busoga Forestry Company (BFC) on alleged trespass on the government forest reserve have today, Monday received their motorcycles and bicycles.
In the recent months, BFC enforcement team has been carrying out operations in which they could arrest people found in possession of firewood suspected to have been collected from the government forest reserve in Mayuge district.
A group of residents led by the LCIII chairman of Bukatube Sub County, William Atube last week stormed the office of the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC), Trevor Solomon Baleke to petition him and this prompted him to convene a meeting with the affected parties.
While meeting BFC officials last Friday, the Deputy RDC Trevor Solomon Baleke tasked the company to release unconditionally all impounded motorcycles and bicycles in a meeting which was attended by among others, security, local leaders and atleast 30 affected persons.
“It was illegal for BFC to impound people’s items but still it’s not guaranteed for locals to trespass on government forestry reserves,” Baleke said.
Baleke commended the BFC for obeying the directive he issued earlier to the company to have all items released to respective owners.
He however warned the owners and general public to follow laws governing all government forestry reserves and refrain from trespassing and stealing firewood in the reserves.
“I want to thank Busoga Forestry Company (BFC) for obeying the directive which I gave them to release all people’s motorcycles and bicycles, they have effected the directive today and all impounded items have been released to respective owner,”
“I want also to caution the public especially those near the forestry reserves to obey the laws governing the reserves and avoid stealing firewood in these reserves,” DRDC Baleke warned.
He asked both the forestry company and the locals to embrace unity and coexistence citing that they need each other since the company employs local people and also pays taxes to the central government.
The company reportedly bought six acres of land in Bukatube Sub county to facilitate government program of constructing a seed school in the area.
While receiving their motorcycles and bicycles today, the locals commended authorities in Mayuge district for listening to their complaints and acting swiftly.
They appreciated president Museveni for posting in their district a problem solving DRDC Baleke.
Basalirwa Javan, one of the locals says Baleke has been pivotal in coordinating the public and Busoga Forestry Company to have their items back.
Kasadha Ivan, from Lwanika village in Bukatube Sub county says he has been sorrowful ever since his motorcycle was impounded for a full month without knowing its whereabouts.
“I have been having much sorrow for a full month ever since my motorcycle was impounded but I want to appreciate deputy RDC and other authorities since I have got my bike today,” Kasadha said with a jolly face.
Another cyclist Waigolo Stephen said their motorcycles were impounded and stored in unidentified places and this has been affecting their efforts to trace them. He says the combined effort in the district under the command of RDC’s office has made them to get back their motorcycles.
Busoga Forestry Company (BFC) is among the private companies contracted by the National Forestry Authority to carry out tree planting and management of the forest reserve.
The forestry reserves are located in Bukatube and Malongo sub counties.
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