Poachers Risk Death
Jul 10, 2003
LOCAL LEADERS in Kasese have been meeting the Uganda Wildlife Authority over the deaths of 200 poachers.
LOCAL LEADERS in Kasese have been meeting the Uganda Wildlife Authority over the deaths of 200 poachers. They were allegedly killed hunting in the park by UWA wardens and left behind widows and orphans.
While these deaths are regrettable, the fact is that the poachers were engaged in armed robbery. They were pursuing hippo and buffalo in Queen Elizabeth Park armed with AK-47s and other weapons. They were a threat to the UWA wardens as well as the animals.
Their criminal actions were undermining the tourist potential of Uganda and had to be stopped.
It is tragic if Police in Kampala kill an armed robber but no one complains to Government. The public want law and order maintained.
Local communities in Kasese should realise that poaching is armed robbery and poachers therefore risk being killed. Poachers have to accept the consequences of their actions. They should not complain if they are shot
in the parks.
Destroying landmines
THE ARMY is presently destroying around 5,000 landmines at Kigo and Nakasongola. Around 1,000 will be retained for training purposes.
Uganda signed the 1997 Ottawa treaty banning the use of mines and Luweero Industries immediately stopped manufacturing them.
Mines cause appalling collateral damage to civilians and are very difficult to clean up when war is over. The whole world is now moving to end the use of landmines.
The destruction of these mines demonstrates that Uganda is a responsible member of the world community.
Ends
While these deaths are regrettable, the fact is that the poachers were engaged in armed robbery. They were pursuing hippo and buffalo in Queen Elizabeth Park armed with AK-47s and other weapons. They were a threat to the UWA wardens as well as the animals.
Their criminal actions were undermining the tourist potential of Uganda and had to be stopped.
It is tragic if Police in Kampala kill an armed robber but no one complains to Government. The public want law and order maintained.
Local communities in Kasese should realise that poaching is armed robbery and poachers therefore risk being killed. Poachers have to accept the consequences of their actions. They should not complain if they are shot
in the parks.
Destroying landmines
THE ARMY is presently destroying around 5,000 landmines at Kigo and Nakasongola. Around 1,000 will be retained for training purposes.
Uganda signed the 1997 Ottawa treaty banning the use of mines and Luweero Industries immediately stopped manufacturing them.
Mines cause appalling collateral damage to civilians and are very difficult to clean up when war is over. The whole world is now moving to end the use of landmines.
The destruction of these mines demonstrates that Uganda is a responsible member of the world community.
Ends