‘Big men’, an ugly history, and the ruthless Congo Basin timber smuggling business

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The illicit DRC-Uganda raw wood trade has a difficult past, involving the military, rebels, high-level politicians and unabated trafficking, laid out in our second article of a four-part investigation into the eastern Africa timber industry.

The 950km Uganda-DRC border is dotted with many natural features, from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorilla sanctuary and Lake Edward in southwestern Uganda to the Semliki River, Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Albert in midwestern Uganda. Past Lake Albert, the border curls twice into the largely flat terrain of northern Uganda.Also receive offers from The Africa Report's partners

About 100km south of Lia, less than 2km from the Padea official border point in the Zombo district, a person who facilitates the movement of Congolese timber – hardwood and softwood – into Uganda told. The dealers prepare the requested timber which is then moved into Uganda during the night on bicycles and motorcycles, depending on the volume.

The first permanent roadblock en route to Kampala is monitored by URA staff, environmental police and the army and is some 109km from Arua in the West Nile region. The second is 237km from Arua, while the weighbridge is located 60km from Kampala. Banana says timber passes through official borders and checkpoints unquestionably, and is moved throughout the day, not only at night.

“There are no guidelines” on timber coming from DRC, says Enock Abaine, commander of Uganda’s environmental police. “We have not been targeting them,” he adds.

 

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