Basajjabalaba Wanted by Police Over Ivory Trafficking

Businessman and controversial NRM figure Hassan Basajjabalaba is now a wanted man after the Uganda Police issued an alert over his alleged involvement in the illegal ivory trade—a crime that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Police sources revealed that detectives from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) have been hunting for Basajjabalaba since last week, but his whereabouts remain unknown. Officers suspect he has gone into hiding to evade arrest.

“Mr. Basajjabalaba is wanted to assist in investigations into an ivory trafficking network. We have not been able to locate him at his known addresses,” a senior CID officer told this newspaper. “Anyone with information on his whereabouts should report to the nearest police station immediately.”

Under the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019, trading in or possessing ivory—classified as an endangered wildlife product under Section 75(1)(a)—attracts a penalty of life imprisonment upon conviction. Authorities believe Basajjabalaba was a key figure in a regional smuggling syndicate moving ivory across borders.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has commended the police operation, warning that those who profit from endangered species must be brought to justice “without fear or favour.”

The manhunt comes just weeks before the NRM Delegates Conference at Namboole Stadium, where Basajjabalaba had declared his intention to contest for Chairman of the NRM Entrepreneurs League. His disappearance and the ongoing criminal investigation have triggered calls within the party to bar him from the race.

“This is beyond politics,” said one Central Region delegate. “You cannot lead the entrepreneurs of Uganda when you are a fugitive wanted over environmental crimes.”

Basajjabalaba’s career has long been clouded by allegations of corruption, fraud, and abuse of political influence

With Basajjabalaba now a fugitive, the NRM’s Central Executive Committee faces pressure to demonstrate its commitment to integrity and rule of law. Delegates from several regions have indicated they will formally move to have him disqualified.

Environmental activists and civil society groups are also calling for an example to be set. “You cannot claim to fight poaching when you allow ivory traffickers to enjoy political protection,” said an official from Environmental Shield Uganda.