FOUR HELD BY POLICE FOR POSSESSING OVER 500KGS OF ANTELOPE MEAT

In an effort to save wildlife species and their habitats in Uganda, about 4 people have been arrested for having over 500 kilograms of antelope meat. The four fell culprits after the vehicle they were transporting meat to Kampala got damaged. This was after police were tipped as blood started flowing from the vehicle the suspects were using. The wild meat is believed to have been hunted from Lake Mburo National Park, western Uganda and about 4 antelopes are said to have been poached. The mostly poached antelope families at this park include elands, impalas, Defassa water bucks, reed bucks as well as zebras. Besides, monkeys, fish, baboon meat was also recovered in July 2017 that was heading to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Lake Mburo National Park is one Uganda’s smallest park and extends for about 370 square kilometers and straddles between elevation 1220 and 1828 meters. 20 percent of this protected area consists of wetland habitats. It offers refuge to over 350 avian species including the elusive shoe bill stork, African fin foot, brown chested wattled plover, papyrus gonolek, Abyssinian ground horn bill, African fish eagle, saddle billed stork, white winged warbler, plus other wildlife species like buffaloes, Oribis, Defassa water buck, leopard, hippos, hyenas, Topis, reed buck, impala, eland, topis and many others. The park features more than 13 (thirteen) spectacular Lakes and they make up the 50 kilometer long wetland system that is connected by a swamp. Its woody vegetation consists of acacia, boscia and olea species. Lake Mburo National Park is popular for its amazing safari activities like game drives-in the morning, afternoon and at night; nature walks, launch cruise/boat trips, bird watching and many others.

In conclusion, there is still need to protect Uganda’s wildlife across all protected areas and not only Lake Mburo National Park. To ensure that they survive for future generations, more active conservation policies must be put in place and collaborative effort is required across all stakeholders.