Ban on wildlife export lifted
Nov 22, 2002
THE Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has lifted the three-month suspension on export of wildlife. President Yoweri Museveni wrote to the authority saying the Government could not stop export of wild animals reared on private farms.
By Gerald Tenywa
THE Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has lifted the three-month suspension on export of wildlife. President Yoweri Museveni wrote to the authority saying the Government could not stop export of wild animals reared on private farms.
UWA’s executive director Dr Arthur Mugisha told The New Vision on Thursday that UWA had suspended the trade pending clarification from the Permanent Secretary of the trade, tourism and industry ministry on the President’s earlier remarks on the trade.
Museveni, while launching a conservation endowment fund at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) at Entebbe on June 18, warned that wild animals could not be exported to USA because it contravened the objectives of the Africa Opportunities Growth Act (AGOA).
In a letter dated October 20, Museveni wrote to the state minister for trade, tourism and industry, Jovina Akaki, explaining that he was referring to the export of wild animals from government-run national parks and game reserves.
“I could not, obviously, have been referring to privately-run wildlife farms such as ostriches on private farms, crocodiles on ranches or deers on private ranches,’’ Museveni said.
Mugisha said they were consulting the wildlife trade committee set up after a debate on the issue early this year.
The debate was convened by the Uganda Wildlife Society (UWS) after The New Vision reported that thousands of animals were being exported without proper regulations.
“We have learnt from the pilot project, which had mistakes, but the lessons would help us to improve on the trade,’’ Mugisha said. At the workshop recently, animal rightists opposed the trade, saying it was possible to rear some species of wildlife.
THE Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has lifted the three-month suspension on export of wildlife. President Yoweri Museveni wrote to the authority saying the Government could not stop export of wild animals reared on private farms.
UWA’s executive director Dr Arthur Mugisha told The New Vision on Thursday that UWA had suspended the trade pending clarification from the Permanent Secretary of the trade, tourism and industry ministry on the President’s earlier remarks on the trade.
Museveni, while launching a conservation endowment fund at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) at Entebbe on June 18, warned that wild animals could not be exported to USA because it contravened the objectives of the Africa Opportunities Growth Act (AGOA).
In a letter dated October 20, Museveni wrote to the state minister for trade, tourism and industry, Jovina Akaki, explaining that he was referring to the export of wild animals from government-run national parks and game reserves.
“I could not, obviously, have been referring to privately-run wildlife farms such as ostriches on private farms, crocodiles on ranches or deers on private ranches,’’ Museveni said.
Mugisha said they were consulting the wildlife trade committee set up after a debate on the issue early this year.
The debate was convened by the Uganda Wildlife Society (UWS) after The New Vision reported that thousands of animals were being exported without proper regulations.
“We have learnt from the pilot project, which had mistakes, but the lessons would help us to improve on the trade,’’ Mugisha said. At the workshop recently, animal rightists opposed the trade, saying it was possible to rear some species of wildlife.