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Three NFA Officials Arrested Over Alleged Mabira Forest Destruction

19 March, 2025
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At least three officials from the National Forestry Authority (NFA) have been apprehended over their alleged involvement in the destruction of Mabira Forest.


The arrested officials include Joseph Ecima, a Forest Supervisor of the Namulaba Beat of Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR), along with patrolmen Mwebaze David, also known as Abdul, and Matsiko Winston.

The suspects were arrested by the NFA enforcement team in Buikwe District. According to a press statement from the authority, their arrest follows media reports implicating NFA officials in colluding with factory owners, industrial players, and prison officials to cut trees for timber, charcoal, and firewood. 

According to the release, the arrests mark the climax of investigations into the matter, which were instituted by Stuart Maniraguha, the NFA Acting Executive Director, after learning about the media reports.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Francis Olugu, the Police Liaison Commandant at NFA, confirmed that charges of criminal neglect of duty have been brought against the suspects. 

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