The government of Uganda will increase funding to the Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute in Kasese district as one of the steps to curb human-wildlife conflicts that are common in the area, especially in communities neighbouring national parks and other conservation areas. 

The conflict has resulted in wild animals killing and injuring humans, damaging property, destroying farms, and vices like poaching and land grabbing, thriving. 

To address this, the state tourism minister, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, on Friday, June 30, during the first-ever research symposium held at the institute located in Katwe, Kabatooro Town Council Kasese district, said the institute will conduct studies to come up with comprehensive facts to enable government find permanent solutions to the conflicts. 

Kasese district has most of the area covered by Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mt Rwenzori National Park and neighbours Kibale National Park.  

A number of measures such as compensation, erecting electric fences, and community sensitisation among others have been implemented to end the human-wildlife conflicts in the area but all these have contributed little. 

Mugarra said the move to support the institute will see its annual funding from the tourism ministry raised from sh3bn to sh5bn. 

“I know you are going to recruit more staff out of the additional support that we gave you of an increase of sh1.9 billion. We know it is not enough but we shall continue to support you,” he said. 

Mugarra added that the government with support from the World Bank is going to facilitate the construction of three laboratories, an administration block and a conference centre. 

He also noted that out of the 855 rangers that were recently passed out, 110 will be posted in Kasese especially in Queen Elizabeth National Park, adding that all this will support the research activities. 

Eliphaz Muhindi, Kasese LC5 chairperson, pledged his full support of the research symposium by stating that research is paramount in all aspects of life. 

He appealed to all researchers not to sit and keep their research results in books but rather share and disseminate information to the stakeholders so that they apply the scientific findings to the different aspects of life to be able to come up with possible solutions to some of the issues they are interacting with. 

Martin Mugarra Bahinduka the state minister of tourism, wildlife and antiquities at UWRTI first ever research symposium 2023

The LC3 chairperson of Katwe-Kabatooro Town Council, John Bosco Kananura, expressed optimism that enhancing innovation and research at the institute has come at a time when people in his area face multiple issues regarding wildlife and that a solution can be found. 

Kananura explained that in a period of one month, three members of his town council lost their lives to wild animals, mainly crocodiles and hippopotamuses in Lake Edward. 

“Most of my people have perished because of the wild animals and many have become disabled after being injured by the same wild animals. Now as we talk, in a period of one month, three people have been killed by hippopotamuses and crocodiles living in Lake Edward,” Kananura explained. 

“Most people in this town council have families to look after and have been left disabled and helpless after being injured by wild animals,” he said. 

About the symposium  

While expediting on the topic The Role of Research and Wildlife Conservation with a Case Study of Kibale National Park, Prof. John Masa Kasenene, a former researcher at Makerere University for 24 years and current vice chancellor of the Mountain of the Moon University, said the research conducted in Kibale National Park has yielded a lot both for the national park and mainly the communities around the park. 

Kasenene explained that the research has seen many community members get employed as guides, construction of class blocks at Bigodi SS, and the construction of a maternity ward at Bigodi Health Centre III among others.  

He added that research has helped in conserving some species of animals and plants that were quickly disappearing in Kibale National Park. 

Robert Baluku, the principal of the institute, said indulging in comprehensive research is an initiative that is going to make the primary intention of starting the institute a reality. 

“It has always been funny for the institute to be known as a research institute yet in actual sense, no research is being conducted,” Baluku said. 

“We are going to make inquiries and work hand-in-hand with other universities in the country to acquire the best research skills so as to come up with adequate facts that will help transform our communities,” he added.