UWA Assumes Custody of 8.8 Tonnes of Wildlife Contraband Held at Entebbe Airport for 14 Years

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has officially taken over a staggering 8.86 tonnes of confiscated illegal wildlife products. These items had been accumulated and stored by Aviation Police at Entebbe International Airport for nearly 14 years, with seizures dating back to 2011.

The substantial consignment includes a variety of contraband, such as raw and worked ivory, pangolin scales, rhino horns, hippopotamus teeth, and animal skins. UWA officials, led by Assistant Commissioner for Law Enforcement Margaret Kasumba, conducted a meticulous inventory exercise to ensure the accurate transfer of the exhibits.

Superintendent of Police Irene Mugoya, representing the Commandant of Aviation Police, highlighted the sophisticated methods employed by traffickers, noting that some items were concealed to evade detection. She also attributed the recent decline in large-scale seizures at the airport to enhanced security measures, including the introduction of a canine unit in 2018.

The transfer was necessitated by storage constraints faced by Aviation Police, prompting a request for UWA to assume responsibility for the long-held exhibits. UWA confirmed the integrity of the items through its digital wildlife products management system.

UWA is now tasked with managing the contraband in accordance with wildlife laws. This will involve determining the fate of the seized products, which, according to Ms. Kasumba and CITES regulations, may include destruction for items obtained through illegal trade or potential use for research and education purposes.

This handover marks the culmination of a long process of seizure, storage, and inventory, underscoring the ongoing efforts to combat wildlife trafficking in Uganda.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)