UWA ranger shot dead in gun fire exchange with poachers
Philemon Asasira who died after being shot by poachers. Courtesy photo
Rukungiri. A Uganda Wild Authority ranger attached to Queen Elizabeth National Park Conservation Area in Bwambara Rukungiri was last night shot dead by suspected poachers.
The Officer in Charge of Rukungiri Police Station Edwin Atukunda confirms the incident saying, "Philemon Asasira was shot dead when his team of three other rangers were carrying out an operation to arrest poachers dealing in ivory trade, but the dealers who were suspected to be armed instead opened gunfire on the UWA staff and in the exchange of fire, Assasira was shot and injured critically".
Asasira died as his colleagues rushed him to Nyakibale hospital.
Atukunda however said that one suspect whom he declined to name has been arrested by Police in Rukungiri and he is helping them in the investigations as they hunt for more suspects and the killer gun.
"We have one suspect but no details because we are starting investigations," he said.
