22 Arrested in Nakaseke Over Illegal Wildlife Possession

What the report says

Police in Nakaseke District have arrested 22 people in an operation targeting suspected illegal wildlife activity, according to Nile Post. The arrests were made at about 11 p.m. on August 17 at Mijumwa Trading Centre after officers set up a snap checkpoint during an intelligence-led patrol.

Police said they stopped a white Toyota Hiace taxi, registration UAV 523K, and found items believed to be linked to unlawful hunting and wildlife trafficking. The recovered exhibits included hunting nets, spears, pangas, knives, roots and leaves of unknown species, as well as fresh and smoked suspected wild meat.

Savannah Regional Police spokesperson ASP Sam Twiineamazima said officers also recovered three pairs of oribi horns, five bushbuck, and porcupine quills. A case of unlawful possession of wildlife species has been opened, and the suspects are being held pending transfer to specialist authorities under the Wildlife Act.

The operation is part of wider efforts to curb illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking in the Savannah region. More broadly, wildlife enforcement cases in Uganda often involve coordination between police and conservation authorities, especially where protected species or animal parts are suspected. Police urged the public to report information on illegal hunting or trafficking to the nearest station.