The Chief Magistrates Court in Kyenjonjo sentenced two Rwandese nationals to 12 years in prison for offences including entering a Wildlife protected Area and killing protected species.
In a press release dated July 3, 2021, from Uganda Wildlife Communications Manager Bashir Hangi, the duo were identified as Habimana Sabanitah and Sabomana Augustine both residents of Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement Camp in Kamwengye District.
It’s reported that the two were arrested on 28th June 2021 by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) personnel inside Katonga Wildlife Reserve and were found in possession of a dead Bushbuck, 2 pangas, 2 sharp Spears and 8 snare wires all that was used to kill the animal.
“Upon arrest, the suspects were transferred to Kyegegwa Police Station and were later produced in the Chief Magistrate Court in Kyenjojo to take a plea” the Press Statement reads in parts.
UWA press statement reads
While in court on June 30th 2021, the two suspects pleaded guilty to the offence of illegal entry into the Protected Area and killing a wildlife specie.
The Court Prosecutor Latif Amis told court that the two deprived the wider public and national economy of the benefits of conservation which include tourism, employment and foreign exchange earnings and the court needed to send a clear signal to the public to desist from such criminal acts especially now that tourism is seriously hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.
While making her ruling, Magistrate Nambozo agreed with the prosecution that tourism plays a big role in Uganda’s economy and sentenced the two to 4 years for illegal entry into the Protected Area and 12 years for killing the protected specie and for the two-sentence to run concurrently.
According to the Press Release, illegal hunting for bushmeat and poaching for ivory are some of the crimes that Uganda is grappling with and the wildlife trafficking chain starts around rural communities near wildlife habitats from where it feeds into the urban centres on its way out of the country and actions that must be fought vigorously.
