UGANDA: Poacher Fined For Hunting In Murchison National Park

Amuru Grade One Magistrate’s Court presided over by David Okot has ordered a poacher to pay Shs3.9 million or face two years in prison for hunting in Murchison Falls National Game Park in Nwoya District.

Mr Opio Okumu, 19, was on Friday charged with illegal entry into the protected area without authority, bringing devices capable of capturing, injuring or killing wildlife protected species.

Court heard that at the time of the arrest, Mr Okumu and five others who are still at large, illegally entered through areas of Wangkwar in Tangi, Purongo Sub-county.

State prosecutor Ponsiano Okello told court that Okumu was found in possession of four spears, two knives, five bicycles and a hunting dog.

The LC5 chairperson of Nwoya District, Mr Patrick Okello Oryema, advised the community against hunting in gazetted areas since it is risky.

“There are worries that those who survived arrest by game rangers were killed by wild animals because they have never appeared in the community since then,” he said.

At least five poachers have been killed by wild animals inside Murchison Falls National Game Park this year alone.