UWA tasks districts to give accountability for funds
UWA official Edward Asalu (R), Kabarole Deputy RDC Rose Monday Byabasaija (2nd R) and Rwenzori Region police commander Dennis Namuwoza (C) in Kibale National Park on Monday. Photo by Ruth Katusabe
What you need to know:
UWA official says since 2012, Kasese, Kabarole, Kamwenge and Kyenjojo districts have failed to account for funds provided by UWA to sub-counties.
Kabarole- Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officials have expressed concern over poor accountability for money the wildlife agency gives to local governments in the four districts neighbouring Queen Elizabeth National Park under UWA Revenue Sharing Policy.
Mr Edward Asalu, the conservation area manager of Kibale and Semuliki national parks, said since 2012, Kasese, Kabarole, Kamwenge and Kyenjojo districts have failed to give proper accountability of UWA Revenue Sharing funds that was given to sub-counties that border national parks and game reserves.
Mr Asalu made the remarks recently while addressing Kabarole District leaders during a tour of Kibale National Park last week.
Mr Asalu alleged that when he made a follow up in some of the sub-counties, officials failed to give him convincing explanations.
He explained that the money given to the districts neighbouring national parks and game reserves is meant to help people to excavate trenches in order to stop elephants from crossing from the park and destroying people’s crops and supporting income generating projects that can improve people’s livelihoods.
He said the UWA Revenue Sharing Policy is aimed at making communities realise benefits of wildlife conservation. He asked district leaders to actively participate in wildlife conservation and promoting tourism.
The district leaders, however, expressed concern over wild animals straying from the protected areas and attacking communities.
Mr Asalu said UWA had excavated trenches in some hotspots of the park that have to stopped elephants from straying into areas neighbouring parks and game reserves.
Kabarole deputy Resident Deputy Commissioner (RDC) Rose Monday Byabasaija, asked the UWA management to always share information with the RDC’s office to help them make follow-ups whenever money is released. She said the RDC’s office would summon the Kabarole chief administrative officer and ask him to give accountability of the funds.
“If accountability is not presented we shall take action since the RDC office is supposed to monitor government projects on behalf of the government,” she said.
