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Parliament:
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has requested the Ministry of Tourism to conduct an investigation into allegations of involvement by certain high-ranking officials in the thriving illegal wildlife trade.
During the session, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa emphasized the importance of enforcing the law to safeguard the nation’s national parks. He urged the Tourism Minister to thoroughly examine the matter and provide a comprehensive report on the status of the cases related to these allegations. He also encouraged the member who raised the issue to collaborate with the ministry by sharing additional information that could assist in the investigation. The Deputy Speaker set a two-week deadline for the ministry to update the House.
The concerns that prompted Deputy Speaker Tayebwa’s directive were initially brought to light by Acrobat Kiiza, a member of Parliament representing Bughendera County under the NRM party. Kiiza, who hails from Bundibugyo district, which partly encompasses the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, implicated unidentified officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for allegedly collaborating with poachers.
According to Kiiza, information gathered from sources on the ground suggests that many Ugandans residing near national parks and game reserves are being enticed by certain UWA authority officials to hunt for ivory, pangolins, and other protected species for overseas demand. Shockingly, these same individuals who persuade others to engage in these activities are the ones responsible for apprehending them.
Kiiza highlighted the grim reality that many Ugandans are currently detained in various police stations, such as those along Jinja Road, Kira Police Station, and Luzira, suffering as a result of their involvement in illegal wildlife trade. He emphasized that securing the release of these suspects is a daunting task, making their predicament even more perilous.
In response to these allegations, the Minister of Tourism, Martin Mugarra, clarified that while these incidents are deeply regrettable, there is currently no concrete evidence to substantiate the claims. He assured Members of Parliament that every individual arrested by UWA with the collaboration of law enforcement agencies, such as the Police, has been presented before the court, and cases have proceeded with proper evidence, whether it involves ivory or pangolins. However, he expressed his commitment to taking a closer look at the matter.
Official reports reveal that during the 2020/21 Financial Year (FY), a total of 2,310 suspects involved in wildlife crimes were apprehended. These arrests resulted in the seizure of 22,449 poaching implements, which included ten firearms.