Three people in Kisoro district have been arrested over illegal possession and trafficking of three Crested Cranes.
Dan Iradukunda, 22, a resident of Bunagana in Muramba sub-county, George Habyarimana, 25, a resident of Gahiza in Buhozi parish Busanza sub-county and Hillary Tumushime, 28, a boda boda cyclist at Bunagana stage in Bunagana town board were arrested on Thursday afternoon while taking three Crested Cranes to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Samuel Amanya, the chief warden at Mughinga national park says that they have been receiving complaints of people trafficking Crested Cranes to the DRC.
Christopher Ruhunde, Kisoro district police commander, says that the suspects are being held at Kisoro police station as investigations into the matter continue.
While at the police station, Iradukunda and Habyarimana said that they have been selling the Created Cranes to a Congolese woman only identified as Eva at Shs 150,000 each.
However, Tumushiime denied having knowledge about Crested Cranes trafficking saying that he was only hired by Iradukunda and Habyarimana to ride them to the border at Busanza. The Crested Cranes is Uganda’s national bird and appears on the country’s national flag.
SOURCE: The Observer
