Alfred Nyongesa Wandera
21 September 2008
The UPDF has been accused of failing to compensate commercial tree growers, whose forests the army destroyed in 2004 and 2005.
The Director of Ngetta Agro-forestry Project, Tom Apunyo is accusing soldiers of 73rd Battalion in Lira of unlawfully destroying eucalyptus, teak, pine and gravillea tree forests and other farm items all valued at about Sh33 million.
Mr Apunyo is one the owners of the plantation that was allegedly burnt down by the soldiers.
According to a July 20, 2006 report by the then Lira District CID officer, Fred Enenga, two ox-ploughs and other property were destroyed.
The report further says witnesses who were interviewed pointed at the soldiers for being responsible for the arson attack.
The 10-hectare forest that was burnt is at Apala village, 12 miles from Lira town.
The report that was copied to the UPDF Commander-in-Chief Yoweri Museveni, local authorities, the Army Commander and the Defence Ministry, alleges that UPDF soldiers torched the forest on suspicion that Lords Resistance Army rebels would hide in it.
Mr Apunyo, in one of his petitions to the President says the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) of Police found out that the army was liable for the destruction of the forest.
"The Director of SIB recommended settlement out of court on October 5, 2005 and the Compensation Committee approved it, but Mr Thomas Kyebaiga cancelled the decision of compensation through his letter to the Solicitor General," Mr Apunyo's petition reads in part.
He said the decision to block and frustrate the compensation has brought about a lot of controversies and concerns to tree farmers in Lango Sub-region.
Mr Apunyo who is also the chairperson Lira Tree Farmers Association said some farmers have learnt that their compensation was cancelled as a result of reports by some NRM cadres that the farmers do not support the ruling party.
Lands Minister, Omara Atubo told Sunday Monitor that he was not aware of the row. He said: "It was not brought to my attention but if that is true, then justice has to be done so that the affected forest owners are compensated."
Lira District Forestry Officer Charles Olet Ogwang said Mr Apunyo reported the matter to him but since it is private forest, he could not offer him any help.
However, 5th Division Spokesman, Capt. Deo Akiiki refuted Mr Apunyo's claims. He said investigations by the UPDF failed to establish that the forest was not burnt because it is still intact.
He denied Mr Apunyo's claims that the 73rd Battalion camped at his forest adding that if the claims were true, the forest would be filled with trenches.
He further said Mr Apunyo refused to co-operate with the UPDF on grounds that the matter was before court.
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