The Agago Cultural Chiefdom has summoned the LCIII Chairperson for Adilang Sub County for allegedly frustrating the fight against environmental degradation.
The cultural chief of the Otongo Chiefdom, Rwot Ongom Kasimiro, also the coordinator of the Acholi Cultural Institution in Agago and Pader districts issued the summon against Mohammed Okwri.
In the letter, Rwot Kasimiro, notes that he has received numerous complaints from the public against Okwir who they accuse of frustrating the cultural institution in their efforts of fighting against environmental degradation in the district.
The Agago Cultural Institution according to Rwot Kasmiro, in 2018 instituted a bylaw against cutting endangered tree species after assertions and over the unprecedented cutting of endangered tree species in Adilang Sub County.
According to the bylaw, people culpable of having bought, sold, or cut any endangered tree species including the Africana Afzellia and the Shea Nut are fined one cow, two goats, and 2 Million Shillings before the area is cleansed by the cultural leaders.
It is alleged that Okwir has been frustrating the fight against environmental degradition by conniving with the illegal tree fellers and charcoal producers by allegedly soliciting bribes from individuals involved in the illegal logging activities.
The cultural leader also accuses the illegal loggers through the help of the LCIII Chairperson of evading the designated checkpoints and swiftly leaving the district through Abim, Otuke, and Lira districts destined for Kampala and the eastern borders of Busia and Malaba.
The cultural leaders now want the LCIII Chairperson to appear before the Chiefdom’s council.
But Okwir declined to comment on the claims saying he has not yet received a copy of the summons although he pledged to respond when he receives them.
Okwir however blamed the community for adamantly hiring out chunks of land to the charcoal dealers.
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