Timber can now be legally imported to Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda’s minister of state for lands has told timber dealers.
The minister told traders they could import wood from the neighbouring country as long as consignments were accompanied by documentation and had customs clearance. He said all undocumented shipments would be confiscated.
The government believes importing timber from Congo will give Uganda’s trees time to mature. It said the country’s forests are being fast depleted.
Government policies aimed at protecting forest resources include a ban on chainsaw harvesting and the creation of a nationwide monitoring system.
