Merely a transit country? Examining the role of Uganda in the transnational illegal ivory trade

Abstract

Uganda is repeatedly implicated in the illegal ivory trade as a transit territory for ivory destined for Asia. Interviews with law enforcement officers reveal that the size of seizures and means of concealment and transportation are varied, showing diversity in the trade's level of organization and sophistication. Arguably, considerable processing takes place within Uganda in terms of stockpiling, repacking and organization of exports but investigations rarely lead to prosecution and conviction of those responsible. Findings demonstrate the intricate role and responsibility of transit countries and illustrate how the transnational ivory trade operates locally.

Assessing the impact of globalization on human trafficking in Rwanda

“…He indicates that trafficked children from Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda work as domestic labourers, sex workers and cattle herders across Kenya. Runhovde 50 states that, although human trafficking takes place between the borders of Uganda and Rwanda. Few victims of human trafficking are easily ferried across unnoticed.…”

Comparing Discourse to Officer Perceptions: The Problems of War and Militarization in Wildlife Crime Enforcement

“…After the killing of six elephants in Queen in 2015, the conservation area manager stated 'those who come with guns into the park have come to wage war on us' but added that 'rules of engagement will apply and those found with firewood and grazing animals will be prosecuted' (The Citizen, 2016). This suggests that the perceived motivation of offenders influence ranger discretion, and previous research has found that in Uganda, both protected areas and borders (Runhovde, 2017;Titeca & Herdt, 2010) are operated through compromises and discretionary decision-making seeking to sustain a sound relationship with sometimes uncooperative community members. Over time, this could change should law enforcement officers come to regard themselves as being at war with poachers and traffickers.…”

“…4 Subsistence-providing forest resources include medicinal plants, timber, bamboo, firewood and wild foods, such as honey, mushrooms, fruits and meat (Tumusiime et al, 2011). 2015). Uganda is a key transit country in the large-scale movement of ivory (Runhovde, 2017), however, and according to the Uganda Police (2014), a target for organized criminal groups involved in wildlife crime.…”

“…Feeling intimidated and threatened, police would often withdraw from investigations when the military became involved (Kagari & Edroma, 2006). Given the limited success in apprehending high-level wildlife offenders (Runhovde, 2017), and the pragmatic needs of the officers interviewed, a strengthened criminal justice response arguably relies on investigations being managed by officers trained in conventional law enforcement methods and forensic investigation techniques that will help secure successful prosecutions.…”

Mind the Gap! Decoupling Between Policy and Practice in the Policing of Illegal Wildlife Trade

“…Some customs administrations, while giving the appearance of conformity and compliance, actually implemented no substantive change in their daily practices and tackled wildlife smuggling purely in a symbolic manner (Han & Nelen, 2017). By building on previous analyses of counter-IWT enforcement in two separate jurisdictions; Norway and Uganda (see Runhovde, 2015Runhovde, , 2016Runhovde, , 2017aRunhovde, , 2017b, in this article I explore whether enforcement officers in the two countries are facing comparable challenges and to what extent the lack of success in curbing illegal trade may stem from gaps between policy and practice, applying institutional theory as an explanatory framework.…”