Kampala: Government plans to erect electric fences around residential communities in districts hosting or surrounding national parks, in a bid to address challenges of human-wildlife conflict. The State Minister for Tourism, Hon. Susan Nakawuki, told MPs during a plenary sitting that fencing works have commenced around Queen Elizabeth National Park, in the districts of Rukungiri and Mitooma.
According to African Press Organization, Nakawuki provided the update following concerns raised by Hon. Wilson Kajwengye (NRM, Nyabushozi County), who highlighted that wild animals from Lake Mburo National Park have continuously destroyed crops and water centers, and have caused the death of locals. He noted that five sub-counties in his constituency located in Kiruhura District have been incessantly attacked by wild animals, which has affected the livelihoods of the residents.
Kajwengye expressed that these are people who have been food-secure for some time. However, due to the attacks, they have now been rendered food-insecure and are now destitute, hence the outrage. He urged the government to support affected communities with relief in the form of food and planting materials. He also pressed the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to expedite the process to close off Lake Mburo National Park with an electric fence and to compensate affected communities.
Kajwengye further suggested that if the fencing cannot be done immediately, trenching could be implemented as a temporary measure to prevent wild animals from destroying crops. He noted that although the Uganda Wildlife Act Cap.15 provides for compensation, the payments have often been meager and the guidelines are unfavorable to the communities surrounding the parks. He criticized the exclusion of certain animals from compensation, arguing that all wild animals compete for resources with domestic animals.
Among Kajwengye's appeals was also a call to increase revenue sharing from 20 per cent to 40 per cent, and for the digging and reconstruction of communal water centers. Nakawuki reiterated that plans are in place to construct electric fences around national parks across the country, though she acknowledged that it is a costly venture being executed progressively. She mentioned that material is available and work on the fence from Rukungiri to Mitoma started recently. Regarding Lake Mburo National Park, she noted that while the Uganda Wildlife Authority has requested funds from the government for fencing, the money has not yet been received.
Nakawuki informed the House that compensation for persons affected by human-wildlife conflict is determined by the Uganda Wildlife Compensation Regulations of 2022, which are currently undergoing amendment. The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, has tasked the Committee on Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to investigate the raised concerns and coordinate with the Minister to present a detailed report to the House within 45 days. Tayebwa emphasized the importance of reviewing the regulations related to compensation and increasing the compensation percentage, as these issues affect many colleagues.