Seven Ugandan nationals were arrested for involvement in illegal logging in Magwi County of Torit State, a government official said.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, the state agriculture and forestry minister, Akile Maridi Cypriano said the suspects were arrested in Owiny-Kibul area with a truck full of timber and the machine was confiscated.

He said the arrests came during his visit to the county earlier this week where he launched Operation Safe Our Forest (OSOFO) programme.

“We managed to arrest seven suspects. We also arrested a truck full of timber and a machine. We brought the suspects to Magwi police station and they have now been sent to Torit for further investigations,” Akile said.

He added, “In Ayachi County, we impounded the already split timber but the owners crossed the border after hearing that I was in the area with my team.  Most of them are hiding as we speak now”.

Akile said they are collecting documents and investigating the level of logging in the area, adding that anyone involved will be arrested.

“Well we are collecting information on papers in regards to approvals or agreements they have done. Any landlord found guilty of that will also be arrested. We have been sensitizing them and that is one of the reasons we came here,” he stressed.

The official also pointed out that communities in the county were sensitized on environmental hazards associated with forest logging.

“This is a natural forest in which most trees have stayed for 200 years. Nobody can just come from outside and cut them, which will affect the patterns of rainfall in the area,” he explained.

Akile warned local residents against making agreements with loggers, saying anyone found to have been illegally involved in it will face the law.