Districts bordering Lake Mburo park want wildlife law amended
Uganda Wildlife Authority executive director Andrew Seguya (L) hands over a Shs658 million dummy cheque to leaders of Kiruhura, Mbarara and Isingiro districts in Mbarara Town on Monday. PHOTO BY RAJAB MUKOMBOZI
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Residents say the law does not provide for compensation when animals destroy their property and lives.
Mbarara. Residents and leaders in Mbarara, Kiruhura and Isingiro districts are bitter that the Uganda Wildlife Act does not have a provision for compensation for life and property destroyed by wildlife.
Speaking at the disbursement of revenue from UWA to the districts at Igongo Cultural Centre and Country Hotel in Mbarara Town on Monday, the leaders said such an oversight in the Act continues to intensify wildlife-human conflict in the area.
“Our people are killed day and night, properties are destroyed by wild animals that stray from the national park but we are told that the UWA Act has no provision for compensation. This has caused residents to hate the most treasured wildlife,” said Mr Sam Katugunda, Kiruhura District chairperson.
The three districts border Lake Mburo National Park.
Mr Sam Rwakojo, a resident of Nyakasharara in Kiruhura District, said the UWA Act treasures wildlife more than humans.
“Risk and stray with your animals or kill even the smallest animal in the park, you face it rough with the warders. They arrest, at times torture and prosecute you in courts of law. How come when it is the reverse, the same does not apply?” Mr Rwakojo asked.
The State minister for Animal Husbandry and Isingiro North MP, Mr Bright Rwamirama, expressed the need to have a law regarding compensating residents who lose lives and property to wild animals.
UWA director of conservation John Makombo said the current wildlife law is silent on compensation, saying: “it’s very unfair to the communities who inevitably can be affected by wild animals”.
He, however, said they have reviewed the wildlife policy to have a compassionate fund to compensate the affected communities, but the leaders insisted on a clear law.
