POACHERS SHOOT DEAD UWA STAFF IN RUBIRIZI

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In Rubanda
Police in Kigezi Region have arrested a poacher in connection with the shooting dead of a staff member of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Philemon Asaasira, 33, from Bubare Sub County in Rubanda District, died of gunshots he sustained in the stomach in a fire exchange with a poacher on Friday.
It is alleged that on Saturday, George Sabiti, 62, a resident of Rwesigiro cell in Kikarara parish, Bwambara Sub-county in Rukungiri district, was arrested by UWA staff from Katunguru in Rubirizi district in connection with the incident.
Police said that the rangers received intelligence information of the sale of Ivory by someone. They disguised as buyers and were led to the point where it was being kept.
Its from there that UWA staff decided to arrest Sabiti the owner (of ivory) and in the process they realized that he had other people hiding, thats when the armed staff with a pistol started shooting in the air to scare them off and incidentally, the Sgt who was struggling with the suspect was shot, Kigezi Region Police Spokesman Elly Maate said on Saturday.
UWA Communications Officer Mr Bashir Hangi confirmed the incident
Asasira was rushed to Bikurungu health centre III before he was taken to Nyakibale Hospital where he died shortly after being admitted.
Police recovered two cartridges of pistol bullets, a piece of Ivory and other small items.
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