By Evans Najuna
KAMPALA—Uganda Wildlife Authority has arrested a notorious chimpanzee Poacher in Bugoma Forest and Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve.
The suspect has been identified as Yafesi Baguma, 36, and was arrested Monday.
UWA mouthpiece Bashir Hangi confirmed the arrest, saying the new development is a breakthrough.
According to Hangi, Baguma has been known as a notorious poacher on a wanted list following the arrest of his colleagues in December last year.
“He has been on the wanted list of criminals suspected to be part of the five people that killed two Chimpanzees about four months ago,” Hangi said in a statement.
He revealed that Baguma was arrested in an operation conducted following a tip off.
According to UWA, Baguma was found in Kakindo village Kakumiro District, 104 km away from Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve where he had fled four months ago after killing the two Chimpanzees. Baguma had abandoned his home in Nyaigugu village, Kimbugu parish, Kabwoya Subcounty, Kikuube district.
Hangi says that on 27th September last year, Baguma together with three others (Nabasa Isiah, 27; Tumuhairwa John, 22 and Baseka Eric, 25) were among the suspects alleged to have killed two chimpanzees at Nyaigugu village, Kimbugu parish, Kabwoya Subcounty, Kikuube district. The three are on remand.
Baguma has since been transported to Kampala Central Station from where he will be arraigned before the Utilities, Standards and Wildlife Court and charged with illegal killing of protected species at Buganda Road Court.