DPP, UWA Strengthen Partnership to Combat Wildlife Crime

Director of Public Prosecutions of Uganda, Mr. Lino Anguzu, together with the top management team from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), is on a two-day retreat hosted by UWA at Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area (QECA), a visit aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration in the fight against wildlife crime and advancing conservation justice
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‎A key focus of the retreat is to deepen the ODPP’s understanding of the conservation work being undertaken by UWA, while also strengthening collaboration in wildlife crime prosecution and supervising ongoing prosecution work handled by UWA prosecutors.
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‎On behalf of the Executive Director of UWA, the Commissioner Legal & Corporate Affairs, Mr. Chemonges Sabila, received the delegation and emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between the two institutions in enhancing wildlife law enforcement and protecting Uganda’s natural heritage.
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‎The ODPP team was later briefed on the status of conservation and law enforcement operations in QECA by Chief Warden Mr. Kisame Fred Elia. Among the key highlights presented were the successful conclusion of 40 cases involving 64 accused persons, 28 cases involving 49 convicts, and 12 ongoing cases involving 15 accused persons currently pending prosecution, defense hearing, judgment, and sentencing. The briefing further revealed an encouraging rise in the conviction rate, reflecting stronger enforcement and prosecution efforts.
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‎DPP licenses UWA prosecutors to handle wildlife crime-related cases, with QECA remaining one of the country’s critical wildlife crime hotspots. The retreat is expected to offer the ODPP team deeper insight into conservation operations, field enforcement mechanisms, and the complex realities surrounding wildlife protection, further reinforcing the shared commitment to safeguarding Uganda’s biodiversity.