Four people have been arrested in connection with the death of six lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The suspects are Brian Ampurira, 26; Vincent Tumuhire, 49; Robert Aliyo, 40; and Davi Miliango, 68.
The arrests were made by in a joint operation mounted by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), UPDF and Police in Kyenyabutongo village, Rushoroza Parish, Kihihi Sub County, Kanungu District March 22 night.
The operation had started on Friday, March 19 after the carcasses of the lions were discovered at Ishasha sector that evening.
But it was not until Monday, March 22, that police, UPDF and UWA officers “received credible information about the people suspected to be behind the killing of the lions and acting on the same.”
According to UWA spokesperson Bashir Hangi “the suspects took the security team to a location where three head of lions were found hidden in a tree and the fourth one was buried with 15 legs under the same tree.”
The suspects said they dropped one leg in the park, added Hangi.
He also revealed that three bottles containing a chemical commonly known as Furadan and a two-litre jerry can of lion fat oil were recovered in a banana plantation.
“Two spears, one panga and one hunting net were found hidden in a garden at the home of Tumuhire Vincent,” continued Hangi.
The suspects will be arraigned in the courts of law.
UWA has saluted the security team for the job well done.
“We applaud the security agencies that joined the operation to hunt the people behind the death of our lions and the leadership of Kanungu district for the support extended to the security teams,” said Hangi.
“We assure the public that we shall continue to strengthen the protection of lions and other wildlife in Uganda and will pursue this case until justice for the dead lions is served.”
He also assured tourists of safety and a great experience in Uganda’s national parks.
“Our national parks remain safe and attractive to visitors and we still have lions in Queen Elizabeth and other parks.”
