KIRYANDONGO – The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has arrested three people who were found in illegal possession of 21 kilograms of pangolin Scales in Kiryadongo district in the northern Uganda.
Emmnaule Ndibarema Sunday, Robert Asiimwe and Gordon Ochan were arrested on Sunday, May 24 in Kibimbya-Kyakende ward in Kiryandongo town council by a team of UWA personnel in coordination with Natural Resources Conservation Network.
Mr. Bashir Hangi, the UWA communication officer told PML Daily on Monday that the trio was arrested after the tip off by the concerned residents.
He said the case was reported at Kiryandongo police station before the suspects were transferred to Central Police Station in Kampala.
“UWA has of late intensified the fight against illegal wildlife trade and poaching and we have continued arresting and prosecuting the poachers,” he said.
He noted that on May 3 this year, UWA in co-ordination with National Wildlife Crime Taskforce arrested four people in an operation and one gun was recovered from the suspects who are currently facing court-martial.
Bashir said the organization has now built both its intelligence and investigate capacity to effectively tackling illegal wildlife trade and poaching.
“Through our intelligence Unit, We now have the ability to gather intelligence information which is critical to our success in identifying wildlife offenders,” he said.
