The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has commenced the process of taking custody of a massive stockpile of wildlife contraband confiscated at Entebbe International Airport between 2012 and 2018, marking a significant step in Uganda’s continued fight against illegal wildlife trafficking.
The contraband, which has been stored at the Aviation Police Station in Entebbe for several years, includes 6,017 kilograms of ivory comprising both raw and worked pieces, approximately 2,030 kilograms of pangolin scales, 114 kilograms of rhino horns, 8.8 kilograms of hippopotamus teeth, as well as assorted wildlife products including skins and lion teeth.
The illegal wildlife products were seized through joint operations conducted by UWA and security agencies at Entebbe International Airport over a six-year period. The seizures exposed the scale of wildlife trafficking syndicates that were using Uganda as a transit route for illegal wildlife products destined for international markets.
Some of the confiscated ivory had reportedly been concealed in tins labelled as shea butter in an attempt to evade detection by law enforcement officers.
The handover exercise officially commenced on May 19, 2026, and has been ongoing under the leadership of UWA Assistant Commissioner for Law Enforcement, Margret Kasumba.
Speaking about the exercise, UWA spokesperson Bashir Hangi said the transfer of the exhibits is important for accountability, conservation, and strengthening wildlife crime management systems.
“These exhibits are critical pieces of evidence of the devastating impact that wildlife crime continues to have on endangered species. Taking custody of them allows UWA to strengthen documentation, security and management of these exhibits while reinforcing Uganda’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking,” Hangi said.
He noted that the recovered products represent the loss of countless animals across Africa and serve as a reminder of the urgent need for continued vigilance against wildlife crime.
“Every kilogram of ivory, pangolin scales or rhino horn tells a story of wildlife that was illegally taken from its natural habitat. Our message is clear: Uganda remains committed to protecting wildlife and ensuring that traffickers do not find safe passage through our borders,” he added.
The decision by Aviation Police Entebbe to hand over the exhibits followed growing pressure on storage space at the station, where the contraband had been kept since the seizures were made.
According to Hangi, the transfer also demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration among security and enforcement agencies in combating transnational wildlife crime.
“The success registered over the years is a result of strong partnerships between UWA, the Police, Customs, Aviation Security and other stakeholders. Wildlife crime is transnational in nature and requires a coordinated response,” he said.
Authorities further credited enhanced security measures at Entebbe International Airport for the significant reduction in wildlife trafficking cases recorded in recent years. Since the deployment of the canine detection unit at the airport in 2018, there has not been another major seizure of wildlife contraband of similar magnitude.
“The canine unit has been a game changer in wildlife law enforcement at the airport. Together with improved surveillance and intelligence-led operations, it has helped deter traffickers and strengthened our ability to detect illegal wildlife products,” Hangi explained.
Conservationists say the seized ivory, pangolin scales, and rhino horns represent thousands of animals that were either killed or exploited to satisfy demand in illegal international markets. The illegal trade continues to pose a major threat to endangered species across Africa despite intensified enforcement efforts.
UWA says the operation to transfer and secure the exhibits is still underway, with officials ensuring that all items are properly inventoried, documented, and stored under secure conditions.
As Uganda strengthens its wildlife protection efforts, authorities hope the handover will serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of safeguarding the country’s biodiversity and supporting global efforts to eliminate illegal wildlife trafficking.
