KAMPALA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 22 suspected poachers have been arrested for alleged unlawful possession of protected wildlife specimens and suspected wildlife products in Uganda's central district of Nakaseke, police said Wednesday.
The suspects were intercepted at a police snap checkpoint Monday night while traveling in a vehicle loaded with hunting equipment and suspected wildlife products, said Sam Twiineamazima, police spokesperson for the Savannah region, in a statement.
"A number of items were recovered and secured as exhibits, including hunting nets, spears, pangas, knives, roots and leaves of unidentified species, smoked and fresh suspected wild meat, three pairs of oribi horns, five bushbuck horns and porcupine quills," Twiineamazima said.
He said the suspects would be transferred to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the country's wildlife regulatory agency, for further management and prosecution.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned before the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court on charges of unlawful possession of protected wildlife specimens, authorities said.
According to the UWA, wildlife crime not only threatens biodiversity but also undermines national security, tourism revenue and the livelihoods of local communities.
In 2022, a repeat wildlife offender found in possession of two pieces of ivory weighing 9.5 kg was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court. In 2021, the same court charged two police officers with illegally possessing elephant tusks weighing 23 kg.
The UWA said offenses involving the unlawful possession of protected wildlife species remain prevalent across Uganda. ■