By Andante Okanya
KAMPALA - Court has ordered that businessman Smith Ewa Maku be immediately granted an export license for all his stock of pangolin scales, worth billions of shillings.
Justice Elizabeth Musoke of the civil division of the High Court in Kampala dismissed a case filed by environmental lobby group Green Watch Uganda.
The case arose this year on January 23 when the lobby group sued Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) over purported illegal trade in endangered wildlife.
Green Watch had alleged that live pangolins are killed to fuel the lucrative trade.
They based their case on Maku's application to export 7,310kgs (about seven tonnes) of pangolin scales, valued at $4.2m (sh11b). It is part of stock owned by Maku, legally acquired from UWA stores.
But the judge dismissed the case, noting that Green Watch did not adduce any scientific data, and relied on inconclusive newspaper reports, which were speculative.
"I vacate the interim order and order that the license be given. The businessman can go ahead and export all his stock," the judge ordered.
The order in effect lifts the temporary ban imposed in March on UWA from issuing of the license, pending the dispose of the case.
The judgment was delivered in the presence of Maku. His legal team comprised of Richard Kabazzi, Joseph Kyazze, Anthony Kaweesi, and Iga Stephen.
UWA legal team comprised of Chemonges Sabilla, Ali Luzinda, and Annet Tuheisomwe, while Green Watch's lawyer was Samantha Atukunda.
On March 24, the judge allowed Maku to partner with UWA and battle Green Watch, after the businessman had petitioned court, asserting that his economic rights were under threat, because he had been excluded as a defendant. Read More
Source: newvision.co.ug
