KAMPALA, Uganda – September 8, 2026: In a major victory for wildlife conservation and the fight against environmental crime, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has secured a tough court sentence against four wildlife offenders convicted of illegally entering a protected area, hunting wildlife, and possessing wildlife specimens from protected species.
The Chief Magistrate’s Court of Masindi sentenced Owinja Gilbert, Oyergiu Damas, Iutung Godfrey, and Oyirworh Stephen after they pleaded guilty to all charges related to offences committed in the Murchison Falls National Park conservation area.
The four offenders were arrested on July 15, 2026, at Corner Ojara while carrying an assortment of hunting equipment and wildlife products. Following their appearance before court on July 23, 2026, they admitted to the offences and were subsequently remanded until sentencing.
On September 3, 2026, Chief Magistrate His Worship Olara Gumutwero handed down a deterrent sentence, ordering each offender to serve two years’ imprisonment for unlawful entry into a protected area, four years for unlawful hunting, and eight years for unlawful possession of wildlife specimens of protected species, with all sentences running concurrently.
The court further ordered each convict to pay UGX 10,000 per kilogram of wildlife meat recovered, translating to a total fine of UGX 4.17 million for the 417 kilograms seized by authorities.
Authorities recovered a large cache of exhibits, including 417.952 kilograms of suspected wildlife meat, five buffalo tails, one giraffe tail, buffalo horns, an oribi horn, Uganda kob skin and legs, Jackson’s hartebeest legs, as well as hunting weapons such as spears, knives, a panga, and sharpening tools.
During the hearing, defence counsel Ms. Ajok Harriet appealed for leniency, arguing that the accused were first-time offenders with families depending on them. However, UWA lead prosecutor Kato Robinson successfully argued for a harsher sentence, citing the rising cases of wildlife crime around Murchison Falls National Park and the critical contribution of wildlife tourism to Uganda’s economy.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Gumutwero emphasized that while the offenders were first-time offenders, the growing threat posed by wildlife crime required a strong judicial response. He noted that protecting wildlife is essential for sustaining tourism, creating jobs, and advancing Uganda’s national development agenda.
Welcoming the judgment, UWA Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi described the sentence as a strong warning to poachers and wildlife traffickers across the country.
“UWA remains committed to safeguarding Uganda’s wildlife heritage and will continue working closely with law enforcement agencies and the Judiciary to ensure offenders are brought to justice,” he said.
Dr. Musinguzi further urged individuals involved in wildlife crime to abandon illegal activities and pursue alternative livelihoods, revealing that UWA is increasingly deploying modern technology and strengthening ranger patrols to detect and prevent wildlife offences.
The conviction sends a powerful message that Uganda will not tolerate the destruction of its wildlife resources. As the country continues to promote tourism as a key driver of economic growth, conservation authorities say protecting wildlife remains a national responsibility that requires the collective effort of government, communities, and the judiciary.
The ruling is being hailed as a significant milestone in Uganda’s ongoing campaign to preserve its rich biodiversity and ensure future generations benefit from the country’s unique natural heritage.
