Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has denied any involvement in the recent killing of an alleged “poacher” who was shot dead on the outskirts of Murchison Falls National Game Park.

The suspected poacher identified as Justin Opiyo age 30 is alleged to have been shot and killed by game rangers near Wangkwaa post in Purongo Sub County in Nwoya district.

The community say that the body of Opiyo who had strayed into the area to look for food, had not yet been recovered.

The death of Opiyo brings the number of suspected poachers killed by game rangers to three in six months.  The suspects’ bodies have never been recovered.

UWA has continuously denied any connection or involvement with such shootings.

Walter Odokorwoth, the UWA Community Conservation Officer in charge of Murchison Falls National Game Park denied the allegations and said that on many occassions they have apprehended suspects and handed them over to the police.

Odokorwoth said that prior to last week’s killing, game rangers found a woman who is believed to hail from Pakwach and handed her over to the GISO of Purongo.

Odokorwoth added that, prior to this; a man was also found wondering in the park for a week, he too was handed over to the local leaders in Nwoya. 

The LCV Chairman for Nwoya district Mr Patrick Okello Oryema condemned the manner in which UWA is treating people who it suspects of poaching.  He said that suspects should be arrested and given a chance to defend themselves in the court of law, rather than be shot on sight.

He also advised the community against carrying out hunting activities in the gazette areas that end up putting their lives at a risk.