By Mmeeme Leticia Luwenze,
CONSERVATION REPORT:
Officials at Uganda Wildlife Authority have arrested two suspects for illegal trading of wildlife products. The suspects are Suleiman Katende, a guard and Gasama Sikhou, a Senegalese national.
The duo were arrested during an operation by Uganda Wildlife Authority officials.
According to UWA, Sikhou was found with over 10 horns of bush bucks, 2 horns of heart beast, 8 pieces for ivory weighing 58.30Kg, 24 sacks of pangolin scales weighing 801.70Kg and one shell of a tortoise.
These specimens were found in a store guarded by Katende in Nakirama Village, Kikajo Parish, Nsangi sub county, Wakiso district.
Bashir Hangi, the spokesperson Uganda Wildlife Authority said over 270 cases of trafficking animal body parts have been registered which has directly affected tourism revenues yet wildlife generates over $ 1.6 billion a year. He said people use the specimens in witchcraft and cultural activities.
He said the authority is backing on the revised punitive measures provided for in the Wildlife Act of 2019 but also the different enforcement units in the gazetted areas.
