The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) impounded 152 tortoises reportedly smuggled from the Northern District of Nakapiripirit and handed them back to Uganda Wild life authority (UWA).

The tortoises that had been concealed in sacks  were displayed by URA officials at the media conference in Kampala.

The assistant commissioner enforcement at URA Agnes Nabwire said that there are laws that protect the movement of wildlife.

“If the people had proper documentation, why did they have to conceal them in sacks?”she said as she handed the tortoises back to UWA officials.

The suspects claimed that the tortoises were being transported to a local sanctuary in Mbale for breeding.

“We suspect that they were being transported to the black market either in Kampala or be exported. They are highly valuable in Asian and Chinese communities for food and the shells can be crushed into powder for medicinal purposes,” UWA public relations manager Jossy Muhangi said.

He added that there are currently no permits to export tortoises.

The tortoises are to be returned to Nakapiripirit.

According to UWA officials, during the rainy season the tortoises often roam around on flat lands like Karamoja, which makes it easy for them to be picked.