Kampala — The involvement of the resident district commissioner's (RDC) office in the depletion of forest reserves in Tororo district has angered environmental bodies.

During a stakeholders' workshop organised by the National Forestry Authority (NFA) at the Teachers' Resource Centre recently, the RDC's office was cited among the departments perpetrating deforestation.

Silas Anguti, the district forest officer, said on several occasions, people denied authority to cut trees by his office had sought permission and been granted by the RDC's office.

"A few days ago, Nagongera town council came to my office that they wanted to fell trees along the power line but I refused them. When I visited the place, six Mivule trees along the road had been cut. I asked them who had allowed them and they said it was the RDC," Anguti said.