Police in Kagadi District are investigating the circumstances under which a chimpanzee was hunted and killed in Nyabugando, Burora Parish, Burora Sub-County.
According to Kaahwa Thiako Adolf, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officer in charge of Kagadi District, the chimpanzee was killed on Thursday by unidentified individuals.
He confirmed that a case has been filed at Burora Police Station and appealed to the public to share any information that could lead to arrests.
Sunday, the LC1 Chairperson of Nyabugando, said he heard the chimpanzee making alarmed sounds and rushed to the scene, only to find that local residents had cornered and killed the animal.
He expressed disappointment, noting that despite prior warnings, some residents ignored the advice of local leaders.
He added that although hunting chimpanzees has been reported in the area before, this was the first time poachers had gone as far as killing one.
Valence Hakizimana, the Burora Sub-county chairperson, condemned the killing and urged residents to stop such acts, stressing the importance of chimpanzees to Uganda’s tourism and economy.