From Allafrica · · 2m
Uganda's UN-Supported Wildlife Forensics Lab Turns Ivory Seizures Into Convictions
Uganda's lab uses DNA to turn ivory seizures into convictions.
In brief
Uganda's lab uses DNA to turn ivory seizures into convictions. Uganda's wildlife forensics lab, supported by UNODC, uses DNA testing to convict poachers by identifying ivory from seized items. Originally reported by Allafrica.
Ivory seizure in January 2025
Police intercepted a package in January 2025 containing 10 kilograms of thumb-sized ivory pieces.
“The package originated in entebbe, uganda, bound for cairo, containing 10 kilograms of thumb-sized pieces that could have been either bone or elephant ivory”
UNODC-supported lab in Entebbe
Uganda Wildlife Forensics and Timber Laboratory in Entebbe has been supported by UNODC since 2019.
“The lab has been supported since 2019 by the un office on drugs and crime (unodc)”
DNA confirms ivory origin
Scientists identified a distinctive cross-hatched pattern and confirmed ivory came from an elephant via dna testing.
“Scientists found a distinctive cross-hatched pattern associated with elephant ivory. dna testing later confirmed that the material came from an elephant”
Arrested suspect
Police arrested the sender after two months, finding additional ivory and warthog ivory at his residence.
“Two months later, police arrested the man who sent the package. at his residence, investigators found additional elephant ivory, along with warthog ivory”
15-year sentence
Suspect received 15 years in prison or a fine equivalent to 140 million ugandan shillings (over $35,000).
“He was charged with attempted trafficking and illegal possession and sentenced to 15 years in prison or a fine equivalent to 140 million ugandan shillings - or more than $35,000 usd”
Forensic evidence importance
Forensic evidence helps identify animal products when traffickers remove identification features.
“Poachers are removing identification features from wildlife carcasses to evade detection”
Uganda's wildlife trafficking hub
Uganda is a significant hub for organized wildlife trafficking networks, especially elephant ivory and pangolin.
“Evidence from the un's 2024 world wildlife report shows that uganda is as a significant hub of organised wildlife trafficking networks - especially of elephant ivory but also pangolin”
Lab opened in April 2025
Uganda Wildlife Forensics and Timber Laboratory opened in April 2025 with support from Denmark, EU, and UNODC.
“In april, the uganda wildlife forensics and timber laboratory opened with support from denmark, the european union and unodc”
Lab builds on 2019 pilot
The lab builds on a national training center established in 2019 with support from UNODC and TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network.
“It builds on a national training and technical support centre established in 2019 as a pilot wildlife forensics facility through a partnership involving unodc, the trace wildlife forensics network and the ugandan government”
Seizure to analysis process
Scientists photograph evidence before sampling, return original to police, and send sealed samples to lab for analysis.
“Evidence is photographed before it is opened, and again after sampling. the original exhibit is returned to police custody, while sealed samples are transported to the lab for analysis”
Bushbucks case example
In 2023, lab identified bushbucks from seized skins, heads, meat, and a fetus.
“In one case in 2023, chiyo travelled about four hours north of kampala after a suspect was arrested with six skins, six heads, two sacks of meat, 24 hoofed legs and a fetus believed to be from wildlife”
Targeting wildlife crime
Wildlife crime involves both organized criminal networks and communities facing economic hardship.
“Wildlife crime is driven both by organised criminal networks and by local communities facing economic hardship”
Bushmeat market
Uganda has a thriving market for poached bushmeat, with cases involving nearly a tonne of meat.
“Although chiyo said uganda does not have a domestic market for ivory and pangolin scales, there is a thriving market for poached bushmeat. authorities have encountered cases involving nearly a tonne of meat”
Timber forensics expansion
Lab expanded into timber forensics in April 2025 to address illegal logging.
“The entebbe lab expanded into timber forensics in april, adding a new capability as uganda confronts the environmental consequences of illegal logging and timber trafficking”
What to remember
Uganda's wildlife forensics lab, supported by UNODC, uses DNA testing to convict poachers by identifying ivory from seized items.
