Ex- combatants have encroached on the part of Barifa forest which was cleared last year by Russian investors.

In December 2010 an identified Russian investor led by Ibrahim Aberega the Arua resident district commission cleared about 400 square miles of Barifa forest under unclear circumstance.

The Russians cut down huge eucalyptus trees but during the pick of the presidential campaign general Salim Saleh the brother to his Excellency President Yoweri Museveni camp in the area to dram up support for Mr. Museveni now Ibrahim Aberega Arua RDC says the area belongs to ex-combatant. He says the area has been renamed west Nile Ex-combatant memorial site.

Aberega told the press that government will use the land to construct modern water for the Ex-combatant as a source of income.

By Mugisa Isaac Mathias