A man in Kasese has been sentenced to nine years in prison or a fine of eight million shillings for killing a protected wildlife species.
The sentence was handed down by the Chief Magistrates Court in Kasese after Yowasi Mulengya was arrested by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in June at Ibuga village, Kitswamba Sub County.
His arrest followed a tip-off from a resident. Upon being caught, Mulengya was found with two buffalo horns, four hooves, three kilograms of buffalo meat, two kilograms of warthog meat, and a spear.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) prosecutor, Ngene Reuben, presented compelling evidence to Magistrate Betty Ojok, saying that Mulengya’s actions had negative consequences on Uganda’s wildlife conservation and the broader economy. He explained that the animals killed were key prey for carnivores such as lions and leopards. The depletion of their food source forces these predators to target livestock, escalating human-wildlife conflicts and increasing government compensation expenses.
Despite Mulengya’s guilty plea and request for leniency, the court stood firm, sentencing him to either pay the eight-million-shilling fine or serve nine years in jail. Magistrate Ojok stressed the importance of protecting Uganda’s wildlife and maintaining ecological balance, warning that wildlife crimes would not be tolerated.
Bashir Hangi, spokesperson for UWA, expressed gratitude for the cooperation between the judiciary, the UPDF, police, and local communities in supporting wildlife conservation efforts. He reiterated UWA’s commitment to preserving Uganda’s biodiversity through ongoing campaigns and strict law enforcement.
