Amuru poachers jailed

Amuru Magistrate's Court on Friday sentenced a man who admitted having illegally entered into a wildlife protected area in Nwoya district to two years imprisonment and a fine of sh700,000.

Prosecution stated that Patrick Onencan who pleaded guilty, committed the offence on March 30, 2016. He was found to be illegally within Kabim Protected Area with the intent to poach wildlife. 

Onencan aged 25 hailing from Padyere village, Padyere Central parish, Pakwac Town council in Nebbi district was convicted by the Amuru Magistrate, David Edward Okot.

He was sent to Gulu Central Prison to serve his sentence.

The Amuru State Prosecutor, Ponsiano Okello stated that the convict had unlawfully encroached into the Murchison Falls National Park with the intent to poach wild animals.

Okello stated that Onencan was charged together with 18-year-old Paskal Biromo also a resident of Padyere Parish, Pakwac Town Council similarly charged with illegal entry into the wildlife protected area in breach of sections 22 (1) and 74 (a) of the Wildlife Act.

The magistrate warned people against entering into the protected areas within the National Park without authority as it against the law.