Summary:
- SCP Fred Enanga, the Uganda Police spokesperson, stated on Monday that a total of 31 monkeys and 7 Gabon vipers were handed over to UWA officers to release the live ones into their natural habitats and dispose of the dead ones.
KASESE: Police in Rwenzori East and Katwe Kabatoro Central Police Station have arrested a 24-year-old Makerere student and a 28-year-old man involved in the trafficking of monkeys.
The suspects, identified as Lubega Frederick alias Rick and Ankunda Isborn, a suspected wildlife trafficker from Ndejje Ward, Makindye Division, were found illegally possessing 22 black and white colobus monkeys (15 alive, 7 dead), 9 purely black monkeys (4 alive, 5 dead), and 7 Gabon vipers (4 dead, 3 alive).
SCP Fred Enanga, the Uganda Police spokesperson, stated on Monday that a total of 31 monkeys and 7 Gabon vipers were handed over to UWA officers to release the live ones into their natural habitats and dispose of the dead ones.
Enanga said that the wildlife species were intercepted while packed in 15 boxes in a white and green super custom vehicle with registration number UBA 617A on June 9, 2024, around 9:45 p.m. at the Kikorongo Fisheries checkpoint.
“They were being transported to the DRC, from where they are exported to Europe and Asia for monetary purposes,” Enanga said.
He strongly condemned the illicit movement of wildlife species due to its negative impact on financing organized crime gangs, biodiversity loss, public health concerns, and violation of laws.
“As the Police, we reaffirm our commitment to work with our partners at UWA, border committees, customs officials, local councils, NGOs, and the private sector in fighting the illegal trade in wildlife to ensure fear for the crimes and also promote a safer environment for wildlife,” he added.
He further stated, “The arrest of Ankunda Isborn, a suspected trafficker, and his colleague will serve as a deterrent and help raise public awareness that poaching and the illegal trade of species are punishable crimes. Upon conviction, the offense of unlawful possession of wildlife species carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.”
“We thank our joint enforcement teams in the Rwenzori Region and Kasese for their efforts in preventing wildlife trafficking,” he noted.
