Thugs steal UWA crocodile traps

Police in Namayingo are hunting for unknown thugs who stole two crocodile traps.

The traps were stolen along the shores of Lake Victoria on Tuesday October 11.

Officials from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) had laid traps to catch a crocodile that killed over 45 residents of Mulwanda and Lagote landing sites in the past two years.

UWA official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the traps were imported by government from Germany at a cost of sh57m each.

"The thugs could have mastered the way we use the traps which is why they managed to get away with them," the source said.

UWA had been invited by LC3 chairman, Charles Kitosi to trap the dangerous reptile that had continued to claim the lives of locals especially women and children who fetch water along the shores of Lake Victoria.

Unfortunately, the officials abandoned the operation.

The officer in charge of  Lubango police post, Peter Kalamagi urged anyone with information leading to the arrest of the thugs  to provide it to the police.

The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Namayingo, Sylvester Opira said the thieves could have stolen  the traps to make money after selling them to steel scrap dealers.

The spokesman UWA, Jossy Muhangi said it was a pity that some people in the area were trying to sabotage the operations aimed at trapping the deadly reptiles by stealing away traps meant to conduct the operation.