Wildlife Crime Investigative Techniques Workshop with the Uganda Wildlife Authority in collaboration with the Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance and the Natural Resources and Conservation Network, Uganda

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Humans and wildlife are interdependent. Humans derive from wildlife subsistence, shelter, culture traditions, economic development and sustainability. Unfortunately, poaching of natural resources and the illegal wildlife trade are destroying Uganda’s biodiversity and threatening the integrity of the fragile ecosystems and the Ugandan people.

To stem wildlife crime through enhanced wildlife crime investigative techniques, the AGA-Africa Programme together with the Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance (WITA) and the Natural Resources and Conservation Network (NRCN) partnered with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) on a highly engaging workshop held on 20th-24th February, 2023.    

The workshop participants were drawn from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Natural Resources Conservation Network (NRCN), Uganda Police Force (UPF) and the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) Uganda, as well as national and international subject matter experts from Uganda and the United States.

The workshop objective was for the participants to share proven and innovative techniques and skills, using digital forensic tools and technical investigative equipment to improve their ability to effectively detect, investigate and prosecute wildlife crime in Uganda.

At the opening, Vincent Opyene, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Natural Resources Conservation Network gave welcome remarks. Shawn Karns, Executive Director, Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance also spoke during the opening ceremony. On behalf of the Programme, Chukukere Unamba-Oparah, AGA-Africa Programme Director and Country Coordinator for Kenya, spoke on behalf of Markus Green, Board Member, AGA-Africa Programme.

The highly engaging sessions were moderated by Diana Akello, Program Manager, Natural Resourses Conservation Network and facilitated by Shawn Karns, Executive Director, Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance, Stephanie Karns, Director of Operations, Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance, Vincent Opyene, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Natural Resources Conservation Network, Jim Karani, International Prosecution Advisor, Wildlife Training Alliance, Jesse Paluch, Instructor, Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance, Nakato Lydia, Prosecutor Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions of Uganda, and Hon. Gladys Kamasanya, Chief Magistrate, Uganda Wildlife Courts.

Shawn Karns, Executive Director, Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance, Vincent Opyene, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Natural Resources Conservation Network and Chukukere Unamba-Oparah, AGA-Africa Programme Director and Country Coordinator for Kenya spoke at the closing ceremony.

In closing, Major Joshua Karamaji, Country Manager, Wildlife Crime and Investigations, Uganda Wildlife Authority noted that the changing terrain for wildlife crime in Uganda requires investigators to increase their knowledge and skills to combat wildlife crime.

 

Workshop Outcomes

Through this workshop the participants:

  1. Improved their knowledge and skills on the laws, policies and procedures used in undercover operations to detect, investigate and prosecute wildlife crime in Uganda.
  2. Enhanced their understanding on the use of digital forensic tools and technical investigative equipment like GPS trackers, night vision cameras and cellular forensics devices to effectively investigate and prosecute wildlife crimes.
  3. Were equipped with the right skills and methodologies required to conduct complicated wildlife trafficking investigations successfully and safely.

AGA-Africa Programme seeks to establish and foster robust relationships with justice and law enforcement agencies and officials throughout Africa to support the rule of law and combat transnational criminal activity.

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AGA-Africa Programme © 2023 / All Rights Reserved (AGA-Afrique Programme © 2023 / Tous droits réservés)

AGA-Africa Programme seeks to establish and foster robust relationships with justice and law enforcement agencies and officials throughout Africa to support the rule of law and combat transnational criminal activity.

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AGA-Africa Programme © 2023 / All Rights Reserved (AGA-Afrique Programme © 2023 / Tous droits réservés)