The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Unit Disciplinary Court (UDC), sitting in Lirakato sub-county, Agago district, has sentenced their own, Sergeant (Sgt) Godfrey Kisembo to one year and 11 months in prison for illegal possession of ivory.
Presiding over the court on Saturday, Lt. Col. Nathan Kakawate Mwesigwa convicted Sgt. Kisembo, 50, from the 81 Battalion under the 507 Brigade, after he pleaded guilty to charges of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline under the UPDF Act.
The case arose from an incident in May 2024 when Sgt. Kisembo, serving as a detach commander, received information from a civilian about a dead elephant.
Instead of notifying his superiors, he and Private Isaac Obong reportedly extracted the ivory and attempted to sell it.
The duo was apprehended by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) while seeking buyers.
Speaking on the court proceedings, Lt. Col. Richard Watmon, Commander of the 507 Brigade, emphasised the significance of discipline in the UPDF, noting that professionalism and adherence to ideological principles are central to the army’s operations.
Lt. Martin Oryem, Assistant Warden of the Kidepo Valley Conservation Area, warned against poaching and the illegal trade of wildlife products.
“Communities should report stray animals to wildlife authorities instead of engaging in illegal activities,” he said.
He reminded the public that offenders face severe penalties, including a minimum sentence of seven years.
A new law was passed in 2019 that toughened sentences for trafficking or poaching in endangered species.
