QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK ILLEGAL POACHERS GIVE UP ON VICE

By Allan Mugabe

www.mknewslink.com

In Kasese

More than 40 former poachers in the Queen Elizabeth National park have given up on the illegal practice and handed over their poaching tools.

The reformed poachers hail from Rukungiri, Mitooma and Kanungu districts.

They would use spears, arrows and lay traps in the park, targeting antelopes and duikers, which would end up hurting buffalos for meat production.

The former poachers handed over their tools yesterday 24^th/6/2019 at Bwambara sub- county headquarters to Uganda wildlife authority (UWA).

Gerard Abitegyeke, UWA Warden in charge of Ishasha sector, said they have teamed up with the reformed poachers to encourage poachers to take up alternative activities such as farming, bee keeping and other income generating activities.

Arthur Twinomujuni, the district forestry officer has been at the forefront of mediation between the poachers and Uganda Wild Life Authority. He said that he started this process some time back with an intension of sensitizing them about the benefits of conserving natural environment and wild life and the dangers of poaching.

Gideon Ntungura, district councilor for Bwambara Sub- County asked the public to support the reformed poachers so that they can live dignified lives.

Sipiriano Byensi and Hope Kakuru both reformed poachers said that they started poaching alongside their father at their tender age and have since been involved in the activity. They appealed to UWA for support of getting a good livelihood.

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