The 4 Division Court Martial presided over by Colonel George Nambafu convicted and sentenced four civilians who were found guilty of possession of war materials, a sub-machine gun (SMG) a preserve of armed forces contrary to section 03(1)-(2)a-b of the firearms act Cap 299.
Prosecution adduced evidence that it was the weapon in the wrong hands that was used to do poaching in the government-gazetted Maziima park, killing protected animals and park wardens alike in Murchison Bay National Park on 20 November 2022.
The charged offenders identified as Anyuru Patric and Ogwara Johnson were sentenced to serve 6 years in prison while Alem Bosco and Ayunyu Denis are to serve a sentence of 5 years. The four were all found guilty of the charges against them.
According to Col Nambafu, the court considered all mitigation factors but the court found it necessary to award the above punishment as a way of deterrence to others who would fall into temptation.
Col Nambafu reminded the court that government invests so many resources towards the protection of wildlife and that the convicts worsened their case by killing wardens who are doing their work.
