23/11/2025
Ntoroko District Poachers Surrender Weapons, Embark on Alternative Livelihoods.
In a significant step towards conservation, a group of over 42 poachers in Ntoroko District have surrendered their weapons and equipment to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The ceremony, held at Nombe Headquarters in Nombe Sub-county, was officiated by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Muzeeyi Cyrus Ngarambe, and representatives from the District Internal Security Officer (DISO), District Police Commander (DPC), and District CID. Also present were local leaders, including the LC3, Sub-county Speaker, and management of Semuliki Safari Lodge.
The poachers, who had been operating in the Semuliki National Reserve, agreed to cease their activities and hand over their spears, animal traps, and other poaching gadgets to UWA.
This move comes after several meetings between UWA officials and the poachers, who were convinced to abandon poaching and pursue more productive ventures.
The poachers have formed a SACCO group, NEPSGA, which has received a kick-start grant of 2,500,000 shillings from UWA With an aim to support them in their transition to alternative livelihoods, such as sustainable agriculture, livestock farming, or eco-tourism.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy RDC Muzeeyi Cyrus Ngarambe commended the poachers for their decision to surrender and urged them to take advantage of government programs such as PDM (Parish Development Model) and YLP (Youth Livelihood Programme) to improve their socio-economic status.
