Five poachers to face army court after found with firearms

By Saidi Engola & Patrick Okino

Five poachers were found with firearms and immediately arrested for allegedly poaching animals from Karuma wildlife reserve Murchison Falls conservation area.

They were picked from Oyam, Nwoya and Kiryandongo and later taken to Kiryandongo police station.

Ten rounds of ammunition were loaded in the rifles, said the Kiryandongo district police commander, Patrick Byaruhanga.  

One of the poachers included an 18-year-old lad said to be from Katungu, Kiryandongo.

The others included: Julius Omony ,32, a resident of Kinene village in Nwoya; Sadik Ocilo, 30, of Onea `A` in Oyam, Jude Okello, 42, from Amukugungu and Ogwang Patrick ,38, of Tenam Amaji also in Oyam.

The suspects were handed over to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) headed by Major Martin Taika.

Police said they will be taken to the army court martial since their act involves the illegal use of firearms.

DPC Byaruhanga said the three rifles recovered from the men brings to 17 the total number of firearms recovered from thugs and poachers.

The resident district commissioner retired Major David Matovu warned residents against keeping illegal guns, saying whoever is nabbed would face the army court.

Evelyn Kiamukama, the head of Karuma wildlife reserve, said poaching has become rampant in Murchison Falls area.

One of the suspects, Julius Omony, said at the time he was cornered by security personnel he had gunned down one antelope.

“I wanted to sell to earn money,” he admitted.