Bodaboda rider man jailed in Uganda over illegal possession of ivory

Bodaboda man jailed over illegal possession of ivory

ivory

By Sania Babirye

A 26 year old Bodaboda rider has been remanded to Luzira prison after he was found in possession of elephant Ivory valued at 17million.

The suspect is identified as Kiiza Charles a bodaboda rider at the New tax park stage in downtown Kampala. 

He has been remanded by Buganda road court grade one magistrate Gladys Kamasanyu after he pleaded not guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of elephant ivory.

Prosecutions states that on the 7th of February 2019 at New tax park in Kampala district, the suspect with others still at large were found in possession of elephant ivory worth 9.7kg and valued at 17 million shillings without the permission of the Uganda wildlife Authority. 

However, the suspect accepted to have been found with the elephant ivory but denied being the owner.

He told court that the elephant ivory belonged to a man he had met on the 6th of February in the new tax park and promised to keep for him the ivory as the man whom he only identified as Champion Joel looked for a buyer.

The suspect also surprised court when he revealed that although he had sheltered the said man at his home for a night, the said man left the ivory in his care and went to Mukono as they waited for the buyer.

The magistrate however remanded him to Luzira because despite him not being in control of the ivory, he was arrested by police with the said items.