UWA disburses 175m/=to communities near L.Mburo Park

Oct 04, 2016

According to Jossy Muhangi, Public Relations Officer UWA, the handover is intended to improving their livelihoods so as to reduce human wildlife conflicts that maybe pertaining to any given protected area.

The Uganda Wildlife Act of 2000 mandates the Uganda Wildlife Authority to remit 20% of the park entry revenue collections with the local governments touching the park boundaries per annum.

In view of that, the wildlife agency has disbursed a total of 175 million shillings to the communities adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park as revenue sharing funds for the 2014-2015.

Tourists exploring a sunset cruise at Lake Mburo Park. The park is the nearest to   Kampala compared to all the other parks. It is four hours drive away,located in Western Uganda

According to Jossy Muhangi, Public Relations Officer UWA, the handover is intended to improving their livelihoods so as to reduce human wildlife conflicts that maybe pertaining to any given protected area.

 “Of the funds disbursed during the recently held World Tourism day Celebrations in Mbarara, Mbarara Municipal Council has received 11,033,390/=, Isingiro District Local Government will get 74,963,193/= and Kiruhura 89,369,900/=”says Muhangi

The funds will be used to implement development projects to empower the communities and improve livelihoods in the affected communities. Some of them include construction of water dams at Rushororo and Akaku in Kanyaryeru sub-county, opening Rwabarata –Kakunyu community access road in Rwamuranda parish.

 A tourist in the middle of a photography tour around Lake Mburo Park

In Sanga Sub-County, the funds will support Kiribwa United poultry scheme, Rwamuhuku community conservation Association (crafts and entertainment), bull fattening in Nombe II by Abatatana Group and goat rearing in Kigarama Abakundaine Group.

According to Mr. Asa Kule Musinguzi, the chief Park Warden, Lake Mburo, the  funds will also support provision of piped water to Byembogo cell in Sanga Town council(Kizimbi ward)communities to fence valley tanks constructed with support from AWF-USAID in Rurambira(Nyakashashara sub county ,construction of Akatooma community P. School (Nyakahita).

In Isingiro District, projects to benefit include completion of a classroom block at Rukuuba PS, maintenance of Kyenjonjo road in Rwentango parish, a heifer project in Kyarugaju,Kabingo sub county  and goat rearing in Ihunga  parish among others.

Other projects in Isingiro include piggery, goat rearing and bull rearing in Mirambiro parish of Rushasha sub county while in Rugaaga Sub County, there will be completion of a classroom and office block for Kiretwa Mixed PS as well as support to Kaswina Valley Drama Actors.

Last year,Lake Mburo NP disbursed  a total sum of Uganda shillings 455,957,607. Of this, Kiruhura district received 232,364,162 shillings; Isingiro district 194,906,332 shillings and Mbarara District 28,687,113 shillings for implementation of identified projects.

The national park receives on average 26,000 visitors per annum generating approximately 200 Million shillings as mandatory 20% revenue share to the neighbouring communities/ Local Governments under (Section 69(4) of the Uganda Wildlife Act Cap 200 of 2000). This is annually disbursed to frontline communities to implement approved projects in line with revenue sharing guidelines.

 

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