Court convicts rhino horns traffickers

The two men are a Yemen national named Al-Maamari Maged Mutahar Ali and a Ugandan national named Abubakari Mustafa who were found guilty on September 14.

Al-Maamari Maged Mutahar Ali was sentenced to pay a fine of Uganda shillings 60 million for illegal possession of protected wildlife specimen, Uganda shillings 60 million for attempted export of wildlife specimen without a permit and a caution for conspiracy to commit a felony. Court further ordered for his deportation from the country.

His driver Abubakar Mustafa was sentenced to pay a fine of Uganda shillings 20 million for illegal possession of wildlife specimen, Uganda shillings 20 million for attempted export wildlife without a permit and a caution for conspiracy to commit a felony.

Motor vehicle Reg. No. UBH 194E that the two used in the commission of the offenses was forfeited to Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The two were arrested on May 29, 2022 at Entebbe International Airport with 26 pieces of Rhino horns weighing 15 kilograms. The Rhino horns were concealed in food items to disguise their identity.

Upon conviction, Uganda Wildlife Authority applauded the Uganda security agencies that participated in the operation, the Office of the Director Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary and the media for supporting the conservation of wildlife in Uganda.