By Edward Byamukama
The Government has announced plans to construct electric fences around residential communities bordering Uganda’s national parks in a renewed effort to curb escalating human-wildlife conflict that lawmakers say is destroying livelihoods, threatening food security and costing lives.
The state minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Susan Nakawuki, told Parliament on Tuesday that fencing has already commenced along sections of Queen Elizabeth National Park bordering Rukungiri and Mitooma districts, with similar interventions planned for other protected areas as funding becomes available.
The announcement came amid growing pressure from legislators representing communities neighbouring national parks, who accuse government of failing to adequately protect residents from marauding wildlife or fairly compensate victims.
“This is a very expensive venture, and we are doing it step by step. Materials are available and work on the fence from Rukungiri to Mitooma started last week. For Lake Mburo National Park, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has already requested funding, but we have not yet received it,” Nakawuki told the House.
The matter was raised by Wilson Kajwengye (NRM, Nyabushozi County), who painted a grim picture of worsening conflict between wildlife and communities surrounding Lake Mburo National Park.
He said wild animals have repeatedly invaded farms in five sub-counties of Kiruhura District, destroying crops, damaging communal water sources and, in some cases, killing residents.
