On this very important day, we celebrate the great work rangers do and also mourn the loss of all those who have lost their lives while in execution of their duties.

Tomorrow July 31, 2021 will be World Ranger Day. We join the rest of the world to recognize the super men and women out there that are referred to as park or forest rangers who protect our wildlife, help and work with communities to solve human-wildlife conflicts, and protect us when we go to the parks. We appreciate all the hard work they do to make the world a better place for humans and wildlife.

The Chief Magistrate at Kyenjojo Chief Magistrates Court in Uganda on June 30th, 2021 sentenced two men to 4 years imprisonment for illegal entry into a protected area and 12 years imprisonment for killing a protected specie. The two were on June 28th, 2021 arrested inside Katonga Wildlife Reserve. They were also found in possession of a dead bush buck, 2 pangas, 2 sharp spears and 8 wire snares.

The two men pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to a fine of 100 currency points (2,000,000/=) or an imprisonment term of 4 years for illegal entry into a protected area and 10,000 currency points (200,000,000/=) or to an imprisonment term of 12 years for killing a protected specie.

The Uganda Wildlife Act 2019, provides for a penalty of a fine not exceeding 10,000 currency points (200,000,000/=) or life imprisonment or to both the fine and life imprisonment for killing a protected specie like a bush buck. The sentence is an indication that courts have started appreciating the need to conserve wildlife which is a huge victory for wildlife.