By Kazi Njema
A Forest Supervisor attached to the National Forestry Authority (NFA) is accused of allegedly robbing a resident of Nyairongo Village in Kikuube District of Shs2.15m during an operation to arrest a man who had allegedly stored illegal charcoal he had burnt from Bugoma Central Forest Reserve.
The suspected has been identified as Joseph Ayebale, a supervisor in charge of Kaseeta.
Following the purported crime, a case was filed under SD: Ref 06/05/01/2024 at Kyarushesha Police Post with the complainant identified as Derick Tusabire alleging that the robbery occurred at around 9pm on Friday.
Tusabire purported that at the time of the crime, Ayebale was guarded by an armed man in military attire who first came at around 6:30pm, returned at around 7:30pm and again at around 9pm when they broke into his house.
Desire Nkurunziza, the Nyairongo Village Chairman, was notified of the incident by the officer in-charge of Katooke police beat.
The officer in-charge of the post said he had responded to alarms raised and advised the NFA to cease the search and return in the morning; the advice earlier ignored.
Katooke police beat is part of the police unit deployed to provide security to Hoima Sugar Limited – the investor recognised by the government on the long disputed land between Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom (BKK) and the NFA.
The NFA believe the suspect who turned out to be the complainant had burnt charcoal illegally inside Bugoma forest reserve while Tusabire told the police that he had burnt tree stumps on Hoima Sugar Limited land.
While contacted for a comment, Alex Obonyo, the NFA Kisindi Sector Manager, dismissed claims that their staff was a robber.
Asked about conducting the operation at night, Obonyo said that they are mandated to work 24 hours since most illegalities take place at night. So, there is no wonder.
