A Congolese mother Pauline Bahati and one Moses Ninsiima have been arrested by the Uganda Wildlife Authority for illegal wildlife trade.
The two were arrested in Kampala as they searched for market to sell 26kgs of Pangolin scales.
The UWA and UK are working together to fight illegal wildlife trade in the country.
A conference on The Illegal Wildlife Trade has started in London, UK where several governments will engage in discussions on how to stop the trade in illegal wildlife and its products.
Recently, the British High Commission held a press briefing at UWA offices and said Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) is so much more than ‘just’ an environmental issue threatening biodiversity and ecosystems.
“It drives corruption and insecurity and undermines efforts to cut poverty and develop sustainably. IWT is a serious criminal industry worth billions every year.”
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime annual proceeds from the illegal wildlife trade averaged between US$7.8bn – US$10bn in the years 2000 to 2009.
There is also a risk that insurgent or terrorist groups could benefit from the trade. Therefore tackling it would build growth whilst enhancing the rule of law, stability and good governance.
