Leaders in Amuru District have cautioned against the illegal setting of bushfires during the dry season, citing its adverse consequences.
This follows repeated fire incidences registered in the district last week that left one person dead while several acres of crops, household properties, and grass-thatched huts burnt.
The deceased identified as Thomas Ouma, a resident of Palokere Parish in Opara Sub-county is suspected to have been burnt by wildfire on Tuesday while drunk before his body was discovered the following day in a burnt field.
Kenneth Okot, the Atiak Town Council Chairperson says that cases of wildfires are becoming rampant with the onset of the dry season, adding that one and a half acres of farmland with crops such as pigeon peas, green grams, and Sorghum was razed down by a wildfire set by unknown people in Awer Village in Atiak Town Council early this week.
“The rampant bushfires are already burning crops in the area and the practice is very dangerous for food security,” says Okot.
Okot says with the vice escalating, they are now mooting plans to levy hefty penalties on culprits who will be apprehended to curb the traditional practice.
David Lakwo Oroya, the LCI Chairperson of Mutema Village in Layima Sub-county says so far 16 grass-thatched huts have been razed down in the area after unknown people set fire to grasses in just one week.
Mr. Desmond Anywar, an environmentalist in Gulu City says whereas traditionally, bush burning plays a significant role in hunters and pasture management, the practice has far caused disadvantages to the environment and biodiversity. Mr. Desmond speaking……
Bush burning is illegal in the country and under the Prohibition of the Burning of Grass Act chapter 33, any person who carries out the burning of grass commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred shillings or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months or to both. END