Lt. Col. Mugarura Cautions Karamoja Communities Against Poaching

16 September 2025, 10:10 am

The Commander 405 Brigade in Nakapelimoru Sub- County, Kotido district, Lt. Col. Gaston Mugarura, has issued a stern warning to the locals bordering game reserves and national parks to desist from poaching.

Despite efforts by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and sister security agencies to end poaching activities and target the markets which drive these activities, Lt. Col. Mugarura, said poaching remains a big threat to wildlife in the Karamoja Sub-region.
Lt. Col. Mugarura revealed that his office has received reports of an escalation of poaching by the Karachuna who are mainly using Flash lights, illegal guns, bows and arrows to kill wildlife, something he says endangers the wildlife population.
He mentioned guinea fowls, ostriches, antelopes, Uganda Kob, buffaloes, and warthogs, as some of the wild animals targeted by the poachers.
According to him, the surge in poaching in Karamoja has been fanned by the myth that bush meat offers relief to terminal illnesses and by the quest to avoid veterinary medicine-contaminated livestock meat, which is blamed for lifestyle-linked diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS infections.
“Security intelligence indicates that a significant portion of antelope meat, and ostrich meat and eggs are sold in the areas ofThe Commander 405 Brigade in Nakapelimoru Sub- County, Kotido district, Lt. Col. Gaston Mugarura, has issued a stern warning to the locals bordering game reserves and national parks to desist from poaching.

Despite efforts by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and sister security agencies to end poaching activities and target the markets which drive these activities, Lt. Col. Mugarura, said poaching remains a big threat to wildlife in the Karamoja Sub-region. 

Lt. Col. Mugarura revealed that his office has received reports of an escalation of poaching by the Karachuna who are mainly using Flash lights, illegal guns, bows and arrows to kill wildlife, something he says endangers the wildlife population.

He mentioned guinea fowls, ostriches, antelopes, Uganda Kob, buffaloes, and warthogs, as some of the wild animals targeted by the poachers. 

According to him, the surge in poaching in Karamoja has been fanned by the myth that bushmeat offers relief to terminal illnesses and by the quest to avoid veterinary medicine-contaminated livestock meat, which is blamed for lifestyle-linked diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS infections. 

“Security intelligence indicates that a significant portion of antelope meat, and ostrich meat and eggs are sold in the areas of Napumpum, Narikapet, Lokitelaebu and large quantities are smuggled into Teso,” said Lt. Col. Mugarura.

“This is confirmed by other sources, including local chiefs. “The rest of the game meat is sold locally in villages, while some is transported to Teso and Lango,” he added.

According to Lt. Col. Mugarura, poaching is threatening the tourism industry the Karamoja sub region, which is endowed with many rare animal species.

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One of the local leaders from Napumpum sub-county who preferred anonymity said dozens of antelope, ostrich and hyenas are being killed in worsening cases of human-wildlife conflict and retaliatory attacks. “Game meat business,” he says, “are believed to be a source of funds for armed Karamojong cattle rustlers operating in the wilderness.”

However, the poachers claim that there is a lot of hunger and poverty in the area which therefore forces them to poach wildlife animals to so as to get what to eat.

According to the Wildlife Act of 2019, a person who hunts, sells and buys any wild life product upon conviction shall be liable to life imprisonment or a fine of Shs 200 million or both., Narikapet, Lokitelaebu and large quantities are smuggled into Teso,” said Lt. Col. Mugarura.
“This is confirmed by other sources, including local chiefs. “The rest of the game meat is sold locally in villages, while some is transported to Teso and Lango,” he added.
According to Lt. Col. Mugarura, poaching is threatening the tourism industry the Karamoja sub region, which is endowed with many rare animal species.

One of the local leaders from Napumpum sub-county who preferred anonymity said dozens of antelope, ostrich and hyenas are being killed in worsening cases of human-wildlife conflict and retaliatory attacks. “Game meat business,” he says, “are believed to be a source of funds for armed Karamojong cattle rustlers operating in the wilderness.”
However, the poachers claim that there is a lot of hunger and poverty in the area which therefore forces them to poach wildlife animals to so as to get what to eat.
According to the Wildlife Act of 2019, a person who hunts, sells and buys any wild life product upon conviction shall be liable to life imprisonment or a fine of Shs 200 million or both.