Two Arrested in Kampala for Trafficking Leopard Skin
Kampala, May 11. Two suspected traffickers have been arrested in Namugoona, Kampala, for trafficking a leopard skin, in an operation led by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) enforcement officers with technical support from EAGLE Uganda, a wildlife law enforcement support body.
The suspects, identified as a civil engineer and a known wildlife trafficker, allegedly travelled several hours from western Uganda to Kampala with the intention of trading the leopard skin. The skin that was still fresh was concealed in a grain bag. Preliminary investigations showed they were involved in leopard skin trafficking and travelled for over seven hours to Kamapala for a transaction.
Sources that requested for anonymity say the pair are linked to a wider network of traffickers and poachers operating across five districts in western Uganda. This network reportedly collaborates with park rangers to expand its illegal trade, including direct poaching in game reserves.
UWA has commended its enforcement team for swift action and reaffirmed its commitment to combating the illicit trade in endangered species. Efforts are now underway to track down other members of the trafficking ring who remain at large.
Leopards are classified as protected species under Ugandan law, and trafficking in their skins carries severe penalties. Such arrests are vital to safeguarding the country’s biodiversity and deterring organized wildlife crime.
The arrests send a strong message that the government is determined to weed out traffickers who endanger the survival of the country’s wildlife. Under the Uganda Wildlife Act (2019), the maximum imprisonment term for serious wildlife crimes—such as trafficking in protected species or their parts—is life imprisonment
The EAGLE Uganda project is part of the EAGLE Network, a group of wildlife law enforcement initiatives across Africa. The Network’s approach was first initiated in Cameroon by The Last Great Ape Organization (LAGA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife. Over the past 20 years, this model has led to the arrest of nearly 1,000 wildlife traffickers in Cameroon, demonstrating its effectiveness in dismantling trafficking networks and enforcing wildlife protection laws. Building on this success, EAGLE Uganda applies the same proven strategy to combat wildlife crime and corruption.
Eric Tah Kaba
Two Arrested in Kampala for Trafficking Leopard Skin
