Dr. James Musinguzi the new UWA Executive Director urged to ensure adequate handling of human-wildlife conflicts.
John Samuel Mwandah the outgoing UWA Executive Director makes a call as he handed over the instruments of the office where has served for the past seven years.
To ensure speedy compensation of victims of wildlife conflicts, Mwandah who has been in Uganda’s conservation sector suggested that the new management.
He said that there is a problem of human-wildlife conflicts, their population of elephants has grown, and it is getting out of the parks. People have come close to the parks. And there is damage, and there is injury and there is death.
Mwandah said that please find means in which to get documents from the Chief Wardens as quick as possible so that the compensation verification committee can do its work.
The increase in human – wildlife conflicts in Uganda’s national parks has been blamed on present growth of human and elephant populations in Uganda.
As both human and wildlife put pressure on the edge of protected areas, it has been described as a perfect storm in the parks. The Uganda Wildlife Act provides that the victims of wildlife conflicts must be compensated.
To compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict, Government started operationalization of the Wildlife Fund in October 2022.
To constitute part of the fund to support the compensation scheme under the law, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is required to put aside 2 percent of its revenue collections.
On 5th of August 2022, the Uganda Wildlife (Compensation Scheme) regulations 2022 No. 65 were gazetted in an effort to give force to the compensation scheme.
Some of the victims in districts like Hoima, Bulisa and Nwoya among others have however complained that UWA has not or been slow in handling or resolution of the conflicts.
Sam Mwandah acknowledges the wildlife-human conflicts remain daunting challenge as he leaves office. To remove the aspect of compensation provided for under the law, there are also suggestion that the law should be amended.
Mwandah insists that the victim compensation processes under UWA should be expedited. He however insists that there is no need to amend them.
He added saying that they just need to be proactive. And Dr. Musinguzi that is not your role. It is the role of Charles Tumwesigye working with the chief wardens to ensure that the documentation is fast.
In February, the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry reports the victims’ compensation schemes received only that only Shs3.9 billion of the required Shs7 billion had been transferred to the scheme. Over the past two financial years, the committee found that only Shs682 million had been paid out in verified claims covering just 121 cases while hundreds remain unsettled.
Poaching in the Parks
Mwandah is related to poaching in all the national parks as the other challenge. He explained when you go to Murchison falls, if you go to Kidepo or Queen Elizabeth. Those three have piles and piles of snares and traps because their communities want to take some soup. They go and lay traps and lay snares. These snare and traps are causing some problems. Because they are the major reason they have reduced number of lions.
The Staffing Challenge.
When Mwandah joined Uganda Wildlife Authority in 2018, there were about 1500 members of staff at the time. The Authority now has over three thousand members of staff including those that joined the Authority from Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. During the Rationalization of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) program, the two bodies were merged.
Mwandah reported that the numbers have grown, the challenges with staff have grown. The challenges with communities have also grown.
“Sam Mwandah had gone to length under his leadership to strengthen internal systems and structures of UWA.” Professor James Kalema, Chairman of UWA’s Board of Trustees said.
Kalema said including but not limited to the welfare of their staff which has improved a great deal. Through providing better housing, equipping them with the necessary materials and putting in place insurance arrangements. And many other under his tenure.
