The suspects connived to poison 6 lions before running off with their body parts. Lion Killers Transferred
Lion Killers Transferred
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Kampala is holding 3 suspects who were caged on Monday for killing 6 lions.
The suspects are Vincent Tumuheirwe aged 48, David Miryango,68 all residents of Tukundane Village, and Robert Ariho,40, a resident of Kazinga lower village in Rusoroza parish.
The suspects connived with others still at large to poison 6 lions before running off with their body parts including heads, feet, tails, hearts, and livers.
The lions were found dead by park rangers on patrol on Friday at Queen Elizabeth national park in Ishasha sector, Kihihi sub-county, Kanungu district.
UWA spokesperson, Bashir Hangi, says they were arrested on Monday night at Kyenyabutongo village, Rusoroza Parish, Kihihi Sub County, Kanungu District.
He adds that the suspects confessed to killing the lions before leading police to where they had hidden the remains of the lion that include 15 legs kept under the same tree.
3 bottles containing a poisonous chemical identified as Furadan and a two-liter jerrican of lion fat oil were also recovered from a banana plantation nearby.
Lion Killers Transferred
They were first arrested at Kanungu police station following a tip-off from one of the residents who informed police of their whereabouts prompting an operation.
Gad Ahimbisibwe Rugaaju, Kanungu Deputy Resident District Commissioner says that the suspects wanted to sell the fat oil from the killed lions’ intestines at 40,000 Shillings per litre.
Police say the suspects were later transferred to Kibuli CID headquarters for more interrogations.
On Monday, UWA, Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) and police launched an operation in Rusoroza parish, Kihihi sub-county, and arrested the suspects.
