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UGANDA POLICE ADDS MORE ANTI- RIOT VEHICLES FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS

Uganda imports armoured police cars ahead of February 18 general election

Armoured police cars that Uganda has imported ahead of its general election set for February 18, at the Port of Mombasa, February 4, 2016. 

Uganda has imported armoured police cars, similar to those Kenya acquired at the end of January, ahead of its general election set for February 18.

The vehicles have features including water cannons, riot controls and wedged front plows.

The Star spotted them at G-section in the Port of Mombasa but Kenya Ports Authority officials declined to comment on the "sensitive" matter.

Uganda Consular General Tayebwa Katureebe said he has not received any information concerning the marked vehicles.

"I am not aware about police cars at the Port, but if they are there they are not meant for elections," Katureebe said.

Photo Caption: Armoured police cars that Uganda has imported ahead of its general election set for February 18, at the Port of Mombasa, February 4, 2016. Photo/ELKANA JACOB

He noted that Uganda has been part of the war against terror for a long time, including joining the fight against al Shabaab in Somalia in 2007.

This year's election pits Museveni, who is seeking to extend his 30-year rule, against longtime opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his ally-turned-rival, Amama Mbabazi.

Rights groups have accused the Uganda government of using state security to stifle criticism and intimidate Museveni's rivals, charges the state denies.PHOTOS BY ELKANA JACOB/http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016/02/04/uganda-imports-armoured-police-cars-ahead-of-february-18-general_c1288972

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Helicopter pilot killed on Tanzania anti-poaching mission

Roger Gower was helping rangers find the killers of an elephant when the poachers fired, officials say.

A British helicopter pilot was fatally shot by elephant poachers while flying an anti-poaching mission in Tanzania, a member of Parliament and a conservation fund said Saturday.

Roger Gower was working with Tanzanian wildlife authorities when the poachers fired on his helicopter and fatally wounded him Friday, said Dan Friedkin, chairman of the Texas-based non-profit Friedkin Conservation Fund.

"We are profoundly saddened by the loss of our dear friend," he said.

Gower managed to land the chopper but died before he was able to be rescued, said Lazaro Nyalandu, the country's former tourism minister, who said he flew with Gower many times.

Tanzania gets 'The Devil' as it cracks down on elephant poaching

Gower was helping rangers find the killers of an elephant when the poachers fired at the helicopter with an AK-47, Nyalandu wrote on Twitter.

Photos of the crash site, provided by Tanzania National Parks, show the helicopter on its side in dense grass, its tail broken off. A bloody bullet hole can be seen in one of the seats.

"Those poachers who killed Capt Roger are coward, evil, and sad people. A fine hearted individual gone too soon, and our hearts are broken," Nyalandu wrote.WAR ON POSCHERS