Poaching is one of the issues threatening wildlife conservation in national parks across the country. Residents near these parks primarily hunt for game meat.
Additionally, this crime against wildlife has increased in recent years, with poachers targeting elephant tusks as well as wildlife meat.
Armed with guns, the poachers have killed Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers. Many poachers, too, have been killed.
For example, in July 2024, 12 suspected South Sudanese poachers were killed and seven others injured in Uganda’s Kidepo Game Park.
In November 2024, private Jonathan Olara was killed by suspected poachers. He was a ranger attached to the Kidepo Valley Conservation Area.
Olara exchanged bullets with armed poachers before being killed. UWA mourned his brave service.
On January 24, UWA announced the death of another ranger.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Sergeant Ngabirano Charles, who was shot last night by armed people while he was on patrol with his colleagues in Kyaruhinda within Lake Mburo National Park.”
According to available media report, 17 rangers had been killed in various operations over the last decade as of May 2022.
Penalties
Penalties for wildlife crimes are derived from the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019.
Once found guilty of possessing extinct or critically endangered species, one is liable to a fine of up to shs20b or life in prison, or both.
For first time offenders, he or she is liable to fine of up to shs7m or up to 10 years in prison, or both.