By Fred Kiva
Police in Kampala have arrested three suspects for unlawfully dealing in protected species, after they were caught with ivory valued at Sh30 million.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango identifies suspects as Agnes Akello Agnes Ojok, Derrick Ssejjombwe and Sulaiman Ssegawa. The trio is currently detained at Central Police Station, Kampala. They were arrested from KK gardens in Bweyogerere, Kira Municipality, Wakiso district after a tip off.
“This was after an NGO called the Natural Resources Conservation Network got information that there were people selling elephant tusks. They informed intelligence and a trap was laid for them,” Onyango said in a statement. “The suspects came and they were arrested in possession of the ivory,” he added.
Onyango said statements of the suspects are being recorded. They are being charged with unlawful possession of protected species contrary to Section 36 (1) and 71 (1) (b) of the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019. Onyango said,
“We want to thank the Natural Resources Conservation Network for their efforts in fighting crimes related to wildlife. We want to caution members of the public against dealing in illegal wildlife products.”
