In a major operation to combat illegal wildlife activities, police in Nakaseke District have apprehended 22 individuals believed to be involved in the unlawful possession of wildlife species and related products.
This action followed a coordinated late-night checkpoint operation, which intercepted a taxi reportedly loaded with hunting equipment and what is suspected to be game meat.
The operation occurred around 11 p.m. on August 17, 2026, when officers stationed at a snap checkpoint halted a white Toyota Hiace taxi with the registration number UAV 523K.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sam Twiineamazima, who serves as the spokesperson for the police in the Savanna Region, the traffic stop led to a thorough search of the vehicle, yielding a variety of suspicious items.
During the search, law enforcement officials discovered an array of hunting equipment, including several nets, spears, pangas (machetes), and knives.
Officers found roots and leaves from various unidentified plant species, believed to have been harvested for use in poaching.
In their investigation, police also recovered both smoked and fresh meat that is suspected to have come from wild animals. The haul included animal parts, notably three pairs of oribi horns and five bushbuck horns, in addition to a significant quantity of porcupine quills.
These items are commonly associated with the illegal bushmeat trade and trophy hunting, raising serious concern about the trafficking of protected species.
All 22 occupants of the vehicle were immediately arrested at the scene and taken into police custody for further questioning. In collaboration with other authorities, they will be handed over to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), which will assume responsibility for the subsequent investigations and legal proceedings under Uganda’s stringent wildlife protection laws.
This notable arrest is part of a broader strategy to address the alarming rise in illegal hunting and trafficking of protected wildlife species in Uganda, particularly within the country’s wildlife-rich districts.
To combat this issue effectively, authorities have intensified checkpoint patrols along major transportation routes, aiming to intercept poachers and illegal traders moving bushmeat and animal parts, thereby safeguarding Uganda’s rich biodiversity.
