The Uganda Police has arrested renowned Danish wildlife journalist Klaus Thymann, over an alleged environmental story he published documenting the rapidly melting glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
According to sources, Thymann was arrested on Monday at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters in Kampala, where he had gone to access permits to allow him carry out his work in the country.
He is reportedly being held at Kira Road Police station, awaiting a transfer to Kasese District in western Uganda, where he allegedly committed the offences from.
Thymann’s arrest has raised concern among conservation groups, journalists, and human rights observers, who worry it could affect Uganda’s reputation within the global research and media community.
The arrest of the award award-winning environmental journalist, filmmaker and explorer known for documenting the effects of climate change and environmental degradation around the world, has drawn attention from international conservation and media circles, with observers expressing concern about its potential implications for scientific research and environmental journalism in Uganda.
Thymann’s work has focused extensively on Africa, particularly the shrinking glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains, in which he highlights the ecological significance of the Rwenzori ecosystem and the challenges posed by climate change to communities that depend on its water resources.
However, the specific details about the alleged offences that were committed, aren’t yet public knowledge.
By the time of this publication neither the police nor Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), had released an official statement about his arrest.
