UGANDA WILDLIFE AUTHORITY MOURNS NICHOLAS MBARAGA AHEBWA
(Posted 06th February 2014)
The board, management and staff of Uganda Wildlife Authority are mourning for ranger Nicholas Mbaraga Ahebwa, who was killed earlier this week in a shootout with suspected poachers in the Semliki Toro Game Reserve.
Nicholas was on patrol with other rangers when the poachers opened fire on them, killing Nicholas instantly. One poacher was also shot dead in the exchange of fire. Security forces have joined UWA personnel in the field to hunt down the criminals and bring them to justice.
Just over 30 years old, Nicholas had joined UWA 10 years ago and underwent training before being deployed in the field, with his latest posting at the Semliki Toro Game Reserve after previously serving at Lake Mburo National Park.
Details are awaited about a memorial service and funeral arrangements later today when UWA is expected to make an announcement. Suggestions have been floated already to create a conservation monument at the UWA headquarters to honour fallen rangers and other UWA staff who died doing their duty to protect the national heritage and Uganda’s wildlife.
The conservation fraternity in Uganda and the wider region joins UWA in expressing their sorrow and grief over the untimely death of Nicholas and extend condolences and sympathy to his family, friends and immediate colleagues.
