Gerald Tenywa
9 November 2007
Kampala — THE Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is investigating the source and exact quantity of ivory pieces impounded in Uganda in August.
UWA complains that security seized over 300 pieces of ivory from suspected traffickers, but only handed over 108 pieces to the Police.
The ivory was last week returned to UWA.
The wildlife body has demanded to know from the Commissioner in charge of crime, Elly Womanya, what happened to the remaining pieces.
"We have recovered 108 pieces of ivory, but further investigation should proceed to establish the source and amount of the elephant ivory," UWA's law enforcement officer, Lulu Etipa told The New Vision.
He said the ivory was impounded by the Joint Anti Terrorism Task Force before it was handed over to the Police.
According to sources, the suspected traffickers were held by the security operatives, but were subsequently released.
Sources say over 300 pieces were impounded from a Burundian trader and originated from Congo.
According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, any export or import of ivory involving Uganda or Congo is illegal.
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