Ranger murdered by poachers in Kibale National Park, around Kanyantare in Kyenjojo district
By Our Team
Armed poachers on Saturday shot and killed a a game ranger Sgt. Emmanuel Matsipa at the Kibale National Park.
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Communications Manager Bashir Hangi confirmed Matsipa was shot dead while on duty.
“The late Sgt. Matsipa together with five colleagues were ambushed by about five armed poachers in the areas around Kanyantare in Kyenjojo district within within Kibale National Park who opened fire killing him instantly.
The team responded with fire, killing one of the poachers while the others fled,” Hangi said.
Hero lost
UWA Executive Director Sam Mwandha was disheartened to hear that Matsipa has met his death in the hands of armed poachers while on duty.
“We have lost another hero. The increasing numbers of wildlife throughout the country is because of the selfless people like Matsipa.
We shall remember Matsipa as a brave ranger who put his country first ending up trading his life for wildlife,” Mwandha noted.
UWA described the late Matsipa as a hardworking and selfless commander.
“He executed his work diligently and was an inspiration to many. The institution will greatly miss his commitment, hard work, bravery and passion for conservation.
His death and others who have died at the hands of armed poachers shows the hostile environment in which we operate to protect and conserve Uganda’s wildlife heritage.
That notwithstanding, we are even motivated further to protect our wildlife heritage for which he and others paid the ultimate price” UWA’s said.
The late Matsipa had served UWA for 23 years having joined the Institution on February 1 1997 as a tourist guide in the Semiliki Wildlife Reserve.
He was later redeployed to law enforcement as a ranger in 1999 and his hard work, dedication and commitment saw him raise through the ranks to Sergeant at the time of his death.
He leaves behind a widow and seven children.
The statement further noted that conserving our wildlife remains a risky undertaking.
“We put our lives on the line day and night in executing our mandate and we call upon the public and especially the communities neighboring protected areas to support us in this cause.
We should not allow a few selfish individuals to decimate our wildlife for personal benefit at the expense of all Ugandans.”