The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has opened an investigation into the death of three sub-adult lions that were discovered earlier on Thursday, December 11 2025, inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, the body has announced.
In a statement, UWA said the incident was detected using EarthRanger Technology after monitoring unusual movement patterns from a collared lion and that a team was immediately dispatched to the Akabale area in Nyamugasani, where they found the carcasses of two male and one female sub-adult lions.
“Our team, guided by satellite signals from a collared lion, moved into Akabale area in Nyamugasani after observing unusual movement patterns. Upon reaching the location, they found three sub-adult lions; two males and one female dead,” UWA said.
During further searches, UWA staff discovered a cow carcass believed to be linked to the incident. According to the agency, a portion of the carcass had been placed in a bag containing unknown substances, while the remaining part was left exposed. A panga and a pair of slippers were also recovered near the scene.
UWA said that these items will form critical evidence in determining what killed the lions and identifying suspects behind the act. The authority has since notified police in Kasese, and the two agencies have launched a joint investigation.
“These findings form a central part of the ongoing investigation into the cause of death of the lions and the identification of those involved with a view of prosecuting them in accordance with the law,” the statement reads.
UWA added that police are helping examine the evidence and follow leads that may point to the perpetrators.
The authority urged the public to play an active role in protecting wildlife: “We encourage the public to support Uganda’s conservation efforts by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities that may endanger wildlife or undermine wildlife protection initiatives.”
Queen Elizabeth National Park has faced previous incidents of lion killings, often linked to human–wildlife conflict. Conservationists say the loss of the iconic big cats threatens tourism and the ecological balance within the protected area.