Police in Oyam have arrested a UPDF soldier Jimmy Obong who was found in possession of ivory.
Obong, who is attached to 409 brigade in Arua district was arrested on Thursday following a tip off by concerned residents. The UPDF soldier was riding a motorcycle Reg No UFE 780M with the ivory tied in a mattress.
On Friday, a joint security operation by Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Police and the Army in Acimi parish Myene sub county Oyam district recovered a gun which they believe the suspect was using.
Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Police Spokesperson confirmed the arrest of the UPDF soldier saying police has opened a file of illegal possession of ivory and exhibited the motorcycle and ivory the recovered.
“We have therefore handed over Obong to the 4th Division Gulu for further interrogation about the gun. He will later appear before Buganda road court over the issue of ivory,” said Okema.
The case of Illegal possession of ivory has been registered at Kamdini police station under CRB. This is the first case recorded in the region since the beginning of the year.
