UPDF Soldier Arrested for Allegedly Killing Poacher in Mgahinga

Police in Kisoro have in detention a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier suspected to have murdered an unidentified poacher in Mgahinga national park.

According to the Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, Elly Maate, the suspect identified by No 191172 is Lance Corporal Andrew Nuwagaba attached to the 35th Battalion at Nyakabande in Kisoro district.

The soldier was attached to Uganda Wildlife Authority Mgahinga.

It is alleged that on April 23 while on duty with other UWA personnel, Nuwagaba came across a poacher identified as Jonas Habingoma and shot him dead.

His colleagues first denied involvement in the murder when pressed to explain testified that the UPDF solider had killed the said poacher.

Nuwagaba then went in hiding until today Wednesday when he was handed in by the battalion Commander with the exhibited gun SMG rifle no UG UPDF 564608917.

Police is still conducting inquiries and the suspect will be produced in court to answer charges accordingly.

Matte condemned the act of killing inspite of the fact that the deceased was a supposed poacher. He said Nuwagaba and the other accomplices in the crime should have disabled the ‘poacher’ instead of shooting him dead.