UWA Ends Soroti Leopard Search After Traps Catch Only Dogs

What the report says

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has ended its search for reported leopards near Soroti University after several days of field checks in Soroti City found no evidence that the animals were present. According to Nile Post, UWA said its officers investigated the reports, spoke with residents and set traps in the area, but the only animals caught were domestic dogs, which were released safely.

The search followed an earlier claim by Soroti University that security cameras had recorded three leopard-like animals near the campus. That report prompted UWA to deploy officers to the area and advise residents to stay calm, avoid approaching any wildlife and report further sightings. The authority has now withdrawn its team, while saying it remains ready to respond if new information emerges.

The episode has drawn wider interest because of concerns about wildlife moving close to settled areas in eastern Uganda. The article also notes that there had been online speculation about whether the animals may have come from Kidepo Valley National Park, though officials had not confirmed any origin, and separate social media claims of a leopard sighting in Kaberamaido were also not verified. UWA has continued to encourage community reporting and caution around any possible wild animal sightings.