Businesswoman pleads guilty to illegal ivory trade charges
Orodriyo is charged alongside Police Constable Kaifa Okot, attached to Zirobwe Police Station, who is currently on the run after being granted bail.
Mary Orodriyo, 49, a resident of Namuwongo in Makindye division, in the dock at Makindye court, where she pleaded guilty to the charges. (Photo by Margret Zalwango)
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A businesswoman accused of illegally trading elephant ivory has pleaded guilty before the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court after spending nearly three years on remand.
Mary Orodriyo, 49, a resident of Namuwongo in Makindye division, appeared before Chief Magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu on charges of engaging in the trade of wildlife products without a licence and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Orodriyo had initially denied the charges and has been on remand since 2023. However, when the matter came up for hearing on May 6, 2026, she informed the court that she wished to change her plea from not guilty to guilty.
Kamasanyu asked whether she needed to consult her lawyer before changing her plea, but Orodriyo declined, saying everything was okay.
The charges were re-read to her, and she pleaded guilty to both counts.
State prosecutor Judith Nyamwiza told the court that the prosecution had been ready for the hearing and had already presented a witness before court.
She requested more time to prepare the brief facts of the case to be presented before sentencing.
Orodriyo is charged alongside Police Constable Kaifa Okot, attached to Zirobwe Police Station, who is currently on the run after being granted bail.
The matter was adjourned to May 27, 2026, and Orodriyo was further remanded until then.
Charges
The prosecution states that Orodriyo engaged in the trade of wildlife products without a permit, contrary to sections 36(1), 36(3) and 70(a) of the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019.
It is alleged that Orodriyo, Okot and others, still at large, on August 9, 2023, at Namulonge trading centre in Luwero district, engaged in the trade of wildlife products, namely four pieces of ivory weighing 34.65 kilogrammes, without a licence.
It is further alleged that Okot, Orodriyo and others, still at large, conspired to commit a felony when they possessed the protected wildlife species.
The offence is contrary to section 71(1)(b) of the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019.