The authorities in Central Equatoria State’s Morobo County on Tuesday arrested eight individuals for illegally growing tobacco in the county.
Addressing the public in Kimba Payam, Commissioner Charles Data said the suspects were arrested from their tobacco farms for breaching a directive issued in January by the county leadership in consultation with the county paramount chief, ordering the arrest of anyone found cultivating tobacco.
The county intensified a crackdown on illegal tobacco cultivation following persistent reports of ongoing activities along the South Sudan–Uganda border since the beginning of the year.
“The crackdown was planned since last year but was delayed due to the clashes that disrupted several government operations across the county,” he said. “The enforcement action is part of the county’s broader commitment to uphold national laws and safeguard community welfare.”
For his part, Naftali Yakani, the paramount chief in Morobo County, said tobacco growing has been banned in the county so that farmers concentrate on growing food crops.
“Tobacco growing has been banned. I communicated it to the chiefs to deliver the information to the farmers. If someone has land for growing maize or groundnuts, there is no problem, but if you use your land for growing tobacco, that is not acceptable because tobacco growing was banned,” he explained. “We have directed all the farmers in the county not to grow tobacco this year, but some failed to follow the order, which is why they are apprehended for violating the order.”
Meanwhile, Henry Awule, one of the farmers apprehended for growing tobacco, said they grew the commercial crop to be able to pay school fees for their children. He revealed that some officials demanded bribes to allow them grow tobacco.
“What we heard from one of the big men is that those who have been growing tobacco should pay SSP 100,000,” he said. “We thought that tobacco growing would help us pay children’s school fees, which is why we have put much effort into cultivating more of it. The government used to work with farmers in the past, and such things did not happen.”
“I have not yet planted tobacco, but I have the seeds,” Awule added.
The eight detainees have been directed to destroy their tobacco farms within ten days, after which they will face trial before the local courts at the County Headquarters.
Morobo County officials said they remain committed to enforcing the law and promoting sustainable agricultural practices for the benefit of all citizens.