UGANDA Wildlife Authority (UWA) officials, the Police and the army have recovered four guns from encroachers on Mt. Elgon National Park, reports Gerald Tenywa.

A total of 75 Friesian cattle suspected to have been stolen from Kenya were also recovered last week in the grassland zone above the forest line.

“Following these incidents, UWA found it prudent to address the issue of encroachment in the park, which in any case is all illegal as the as the boundaries of the park were redefined in 2002,” said Moses Mapesa, the executive director of UWA.

He added that due to the extensive encroachment, criminals had taken advantage to hide in the forest and loot livestock.

“The operation to get rid of criminals and encroachers is being undertaken humanely. So far, there has been cooperation of the local community, who have agreed to leave voluntarily.

“Reports indicate that the local community is now fed up with misleading actions and advice from some of their leaders. They have chosen to work with UWA to stump out encroachment,” Mapesa said.

Three more people were also arrested in connection with the murder of Belgian tourist, Annick De Vester. This brings to nine the number of suspects arrested over the murder.