Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has today taken possession of wildlife contraband that had been held by the Uganda Aviation Police for more than 14 years.

This contraband, which was confiscated during joint operations at Entebbe International Airport between 2011 and 2019, weighs a total of 8,857.84 kilograms and includes items such as ivory, pangolin scales, rhino horns, and various other wildlife products.

At the handover ceremony, Superintendent of Police Adam Kitata, represented by SP Irene Mugoya, expressed appreciation to UWA for assuming responsibility for the exhibits, which had occupied valuable storage space. She commended the officers who preserved the integrity of the contraband throughout its long custody. It was noted that some ivory was hidden inside tins labeled as shea butter, demonstrating the lengths traffickers go to avoid detection. However, improved security measures, including the introduction of a canine unit in 2018, have significantly reduced wildlife trafficking cases.

UWA Assistant Commissioner Law Enforcement and Operations, Margret Kasumba, thanked the Aviation Police for securely holding the contraband for over 14 years.

She confirmed that UWA and the Aviation Police had regularly conducted inventory checks to verify the accuracy of the records, ensuring that all items corresponded with the original seizure documents. Kasumba emphasized the importance of cooperation among UWA, the Uganda Police Force, and other security agencies in combating wildlife crime and properly managing wildlife exhibits.

The contraband will now be under the custody of UWA as investigations and legal proceedings continue in accordance with the law.