Uganda has banned the exportation of timber to fight deforestation in the East African country.

Fred Enanga, Uganda Police Force spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone on Wednesday that the ban came into force on Monday.

Enanga said they would work with other sister security agencies, such as the National Forestry Authority, the Uganda Revenue Authority, and the army, to enforce the ban.

“I want to inform the public that police have commenced joint operations to enforce the presidential directive on the ban of timber and commercial charcoal production in the country,” Enanga said.

He added that the ban is aimed at reversing the damage caused to the environment by individuals engaged in the illegal production of timber.

“All timber exporting companies and hotspots are under close monitoring with emphasis on land, air, and water transport. We are carrying out intelligence on unscrupulous dealers, criminal elites and politicians who will attempt to abuse this presidential directive,” Enanga said.

In May, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni issued an executive order banning charcoal burning and trade in the northern region.

Museveni said officials in charge of the environment and forestry had allowed the destructive tree-cutting for the charcoal business to go on massively in the northern region.