A Makerere University student has been arrested in Kasese for trafficking 31 monkeys to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lubega Frederick, alias Rick, a 24-year-old Makerere University student, and Ankunda Isborn, a 28-year-old suspected wildlife trafficker from Ndejje Ward, Makindye Division, were found in possession of 22 black and white colobus monkeys (15 alive, 7 dead), nine black monkeys (4 alive, 5 dead), and seven Gabon vipers (4 dead, 3 alive).
The wildlife species were intercepted while packed in 15 boxes in a white and green Super Custom vehicle with registration number UBA 617A at the Kikorongo fisheries checkpoint. They were being transported to the DRC, where they are exported to Europe and Asia for monetary purposes.
The living species were handed over to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which released them back into the wild, while the dead species were buried.
The two will be arraigned before the court this week. According to the Wildlife Act, any person found guilty of trafficking wild animals faces a fine of $5,200 (about Shs19 million), life imprisonment, or both.
