Ugandan police are questioning several government officials about the disappearance of elephant ivory from a government vault.  State-run media reports that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni had ordered an anti-corruption watchdog to start a formal investigation.

“Our intelligence unit staff, while on routine check-up, discovered some irregularities in the management of the store where confiscated ivory is kept,” read a statement from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).  The agency’s chief Raymond Engena insists it “remains committed to the fight again illegal wildlife trade and poaching,” and vowed to “punish and prosecute any culprits engaged in illegal trade”.

Police spokesman Fred Enanga said that detectives recently questioned UWA officials as well as some from the Ministry of Tourism.  The missing ivory is believed to have been worth more than A$1.25 million.

Poaching has risen sharply across Africa in recent years fuelled by rising demand in Asia for ivory and rhino horn, coveted as a traditional medicine and a status symbol.