SUSPECTS SPEAK OUT ON WHY THEY KILLED 6 LIONS AT QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Kanungu—

The four people arrested for allegedly killing six lions in Queen Elizabeth national park have finally been named.

They have been identified as Brian Ampurira 26, Vincent Tumuhaire 49, Robert Aliyo 40 years and Dave Miliango 68.

According to the UWA spokesperson, Bashir Hangi, the four men were arrested on Monday night after a joint operation mounted at Kyenyabutongo village, Rushoroza Parish, Kihihi Sub County, Kanungu district following a tip-off from one of the concerned locals.

He said that locals took them to the prime suspect who led them to Tukundane village in Rusoroza parish, Kihihi sub-county few metres away from his home and showed them where he had hidden the parts under the mango tree.

He also said that the prime suspect led security to discover a jerrycan full of oil that had been squeezed from half-cooked dead lions’ intestines that they wanted to sell to the buyer together with other parts.

The prime suspect also led security to two other suspects who were also arrested though they then refused to reveal the names of the suspects arguing that it would jeopardize investigations and efforts to arrest the person who intended to buy the body parts.

The lions were found dead on Friday evening in Ishasha sector, Kihihi sub-county, Kanungu district. Their heads, feet, tails, hearts and livers had been removed and taken.

Eight vultures that fed on the carcasses of the lions were also found dead.