RUKUNGIRI- The Minister of State for Tourism, wildlife and antiquities Martin Mugarra has revealed that plans are underway for the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to construct a 23KM electric fence around Queen Elizabeth National Park in Bwambara and Ruhinda Sub counties, all in Rukungiri district to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, particularly with elephants.
Yesterday’s Minister Mugarra’s visit to Rukungiri follows the Rukungiri District Woman Hon. Medius Natukunda Kaharata’s request on the floor of Parliament in March, calling for urgent government intervention regarding to human-wildlife conflict with persistent massive animal encroachment affecting people and their gardens. According to Minister Mugara, this Electric fence initiative aims to reduce crop damage and other negative impacts on communities surrounding the park.
The Ministry has pledged to begin with fencing 12 kilometers of the 23-kilometer boundary of Queen Elizabeth National Park—starting with Kikarara in Bwambara and that the remaining 11 kilometers will be addressed in the next financial year.
Cue in…………..Mugarra on fence
Sharon Kamuganga Kagwisa the UWA officer in charge of Compensation explained that in case of animal attacks, all affected individuals are encouraged to fill out the official compensation forms to facilitate the process.
Kagwisa added that no payments should be made without an official receipt, and that any attempt to extort affected residents should be immediately reported to authorities.
The UWA official revealed that she has already received over 50 compensation complaints from Bwambara sub county residents and that 12 people have been so far paid in line with what they lost.
Kagwisa pointed out that others are still pending verification and payments. She also urged people to always call UWA rangers in time whenever their gardens are affected by wild animals.
Cue in …….Sharon Kagwisa on compensation
Hon Medius Natukunda Kaharata said they held successful engagements with hundreds of locals and affected persons at Kafuka Primary School in Nyarwimuka Parish, Ruhinda Sub County and at Kakoni Church of Uganda as well as at Nyakatembe COU in Kikarara parish, Bwambara Sub County.
Hon Natukunda Kaharata hailed Minister Mugarra for positively considering her request to visit the area and accepting to give them an electric fence as Rukungiri district to help them in fast-tracking wild animals and explaining to residents about compensation to ensure that government support reaches every affected household.
Cue in………………. Kaharata on Minister
Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom the Rukungiri district Deputy RDC urged Uganda Wildlife Authority-UWA to at least open a two-kilometre road locally known as Ashatu ana munaana (38) as requested by residents.
The road goes through Queen Elizabeth National Park from Bwambara sub-county to Kihihi-Kasese road in Kihihi sub-county in Kanungu district. It is the shortest route that connects Bwambara and Kihihi, according to locals and leaders.
Cue in……………….Ongom on road
The meeting were attended by UWA executive director Dr. James Musinguzi , UWA wardens of Ishasha Queen Elizabeth sector , Local leaders among other leaders.
In Ruhinda Sub County, the Rujumbura County Member of Parliament and Uganda’s Security Minister was grateful to the Ministry’s intervention stressing that it was timely especially to the residents who have been affected by the wild animals for a long time.
