Police boss asks Ugandans to conserve lions
KAMPALA-Ugandans living near protected areas such as game parks have been urged to desist from bad activities that bring them into conflict with the wildlife, especially lions that continue to be killed.
The Director Welfare, Production and Sports, Assistant Inspector General of Police [AIGP] Charles Birungi said wildlife particularly, lions in Uganda have become vulnerable and that firm actions are needed to guarantee their existence in the wild.
Birungi made the call yesterday during a joint media launch of the 16th edition of the Inter Forces Games at Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA] headquarters in Kampala.
This year’s sporting event is hosted by UWA and will be held in Queen Elizabeth National Park at Mweya between September 22-30, 2022. Only athletics will be held on September 19, 2022, at Bombo Military Barracks.
The games, which include, Football, Athletics, Taekwondo, Netball, Handball, Shooting Range, darts, and Volleyball will be held under the theme dubbed “Inter Forces Collaboration a Key to Effective Wildlife Protection”.
The grand opening will be convened on September 22, 2022, by the Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities at Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Katwe in Kasese district.
Birungi who represented his boss, the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola at the launch of the games, confirmed Uganda Police Force [UPF]’s readiness to participate in the forthcoming Inter Forces Games and pledged full support for the event that nurtures talent and co-operation among the sister forces.
“Uganda Police is ready to participate in all the eight disciplines identified for this year and we shall be fully in it and we pledge good working relations with our sister forces for continuity of these games,” said Birungi.
He added that, “These games enhance cooperation beyond fieldwork of operations and its one element that unites us where more than 1000 personnel from different forces come together and share ideas with one another.”
Uganda Police has eleven sports disciplines such as Football, Athletics, Boxing, Taekwondo, and Volleyball among others, all of which support talent development specifically among the youth and create employment opportunities.
“The force promotes growth of talents and creates employment to over 200 personnel which is key in youth mobilisation and community policing as a strategy of fighting crime,” Birungi noted.
Reflecting on the theme, Birungi said this year’s theme dubbed, “Inter Forces Collaboration a Key to Effective Wildlife Protection” is very relevant since the forces are all obliged to protect the environment because of its importance to humanity.
He reaffirmed that at the back of our minds, it is everybody’s responsibility to protect wildlife and the environment in particular.
He said the police, together with other stakeholders involved in the conservation of wildlife shall continue to provide protection for the wildlife, especially lions.
“Lions are one of the most popular animal species in the world and one of Africa’s iconic species. However, the lion population across Africa has faced a sharp decline,” said Burungi.
He said lions are being killed for bones that are part of the ingredients used to make traditional medicines in Asian countries, adding that it is an evolving threat to wildlife.
“For instance, here in Uganda, lions have been poached for parts used by traditional healers. They are also hunted for trophies in some African countries under hard-to-justify claims that the practice is good for conservation, economy, and local livelihoods,” Burungi added.
He continued that all the above, in addition to threats such as human-wildlife conflict, natural prey decline, human-caused habitat loss, and climate change must be addressed.
“As humans, we are continuously and selfishly creating a world that is neither safe for us nor other creatures that we are supposed to share it with. This craziness needs to stop.”
https://thecooperator.news/rwenzori-communities-receive-uwa-support-urged-to-shun-poaching/
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