More than a ton of elephant ivory seized from illegal poachers have gone missing from Uganda's government-secured vault, according to a report by state-owned broadsheet New Vision published Monday.

The ivory, valued at over $1 million, was reported missing after a routine check by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) staff found discrepancies between management records and physical stocks.

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The initial investigation suggests that the missing 1,335 kilograms of ivory were taken by corrupt government officials under the guise of using it for illegal smuggling raids but have in fact, sold it for themselves.

Additionally, the New Vision report cited that UWA staff had "perpetuated" the ivory thefts in collusion with wildlife traffickers.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the Inspectorate General of Government, the country's top anti-corruption body, to open a formal investigation into the matter.

Wildlife advocates have expressed concern over the alleged role of the UWA in the lost ivory.

Given the UWA management's alleged involvement in the missing ivory, how can one be sure that Ugandan wildlife is still safe in the agency's hands?, said conservation bloc Nature Uganda chief Achilles Byaruhanga.

Cissy Kagaba of the Ugandan anti-corruption coalition said the incident highlights the prevalence of corruption amid a "breakdown of systems" in the country's bureaucracy.

But while UWA head Raymond Engena did not comment directly on the allegations, he stressed the agency's committed stance against illegal wildlife poaching and trading and vowed to prosecute and punish those found guilty of such.

Authorities are currently in the process of collecting paperwork necessary for the establishment of proper interrogation lines, said a spokesperson for the Ugandan police.

He said the issue raises questions as to why the agency had allowed its ivory stockpile to reach such high capacities when it should have been already destroyed.

Some of the missing stocks are believed to have been stored for more than ten years, the Associated Press relayed.

Uganda remains, to date, one of the key transits for illegal wildlife trade, the World Wildlife Fund detailed.

Government corruption, particularly those of wildlife, police and border officials, has greatly contributed to the continued trafficking of ivory across the globe. 

Tagsuganda, Elephant poaching, Wildlife poaching, Illegal trade, New Vision, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Inspectorate General of Government, Corruption crackdown