UWA Seize Birds

By Gerald Tenywa The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), has confiscated two shoebill storks and three tortoises from a fishmonger on Bussi Island in Lake Victoria, Wakiso district. UWA officials, acting on a tip off by Uganda Bird Guides Club officials, recently went to Bussi and ordered for the arrest of Stephen Serunkuma, who was keeping the wildlife species in captivity. UWA officials said, Serunkuma contravened national and international laws on wildlife management and conservation. The acting UWA spok-esperson, Lilly Ajarova, recently told the The New Vision that Serunkuma was being held at Kasagye police post. "Under the wildlife sta-tute, we have a case against Serunkuma and we shall ensure that it is followed up to its logical conclusion," she said. Serunkuma was selling each shoebill and tortoise at sh450,000 and sh40,000 respectively. UWA handed over the species to the technical adviser of the Wildlife Education Centre, Mrs. Moller. Moller decried the capture of birds. Ends