UWA, TotalEnergies collaborate to manage human-wildlife conflict
“Before we constructed the electric fence, elephants would often destroy gardens and sometimes cause harm to people,” he explains.
The fencing initiative is being rolled out in phases across Buliisa, Masindi, and Kiryandongo districts. (Photos by Aloysious Kasoma)
By Aloysious Kasoma
Journalists @New Vision
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Efforts to manage human-wildlife conflicts and address broader ecological pressures around Murchison Falls National Park are gaining momentum, thanks to a multi-stakeholder approach led by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and supported by TotalEnergies EP Uganda.
Speaking to New Vision recently, Sgt Major Opido Jimmy, a ranger with UWA, highlighted the success of the electric fencing project, which has significantly reduced incidents of elephants crossing into community lands.
“Before we constructed the electric fence, elephants would often destroy gardens and sometimes cause harm to people,” he explains.
Since the fence was installed, conflicts between humans and wildlife have greatly reduced, particularly in Buliisa District and other fenced areas of the park.
The fencing initiative is being rolled out in phases across Buliisa, Masindi, and Kiryandongo districts.
TotalEnergies EP Uganda has committed to supporting UWA with an additional 10 kilometers of fencing materials for the southern part of the Murchison Falls Protected Area, from Waiga to Waisoke rivers.
Sgt. Opido adds that escape routes have been designed to allow safe passage for human activities without compromising the effectiveness of the fence.
Beyond local interventions, TotalEnergies EP Uganda says it is working with EACOP, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and the Uganda Biodiversity Fund to establish a Regional Cumulative Impact Management Framework.
Sgt Major Opido Jimmy, a ranger with UWA speaking about the success of the electric fencing project.
This framework is designed to address long-term ecological pressures stemming from petroleum operations, agriculture, road development, hydropower dams, and other commercial activities across the Albertine Graben. These developments contribute to habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and biodiversity loss across the North Albertine Rift landscape.
Integrated planning and coordination of interventions such as biodiversity offsets are central to the success of this regional conservation strategy. The framework aims to harmonize efforts across sectors and ensure that conservation goals are not undermined by competing land uses.
Complementing these efforts is the Tilenga Biodiversity Programme, a community-based conservation initiative implemented by TotalEnergies EP Uganda. The program is structured around four ecosystem pillars: Murchison Falls National Park, Bugungu Wildlife Reserve and savannah corridors, wetlands, and forests.
According to David Ochanda, Biodiversity Manager at TotalEnergies EP Uganda, the program promotes collaboration with local communities to reduce threats such as poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and encroachment.
The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Tilenga Project, approved by NEMA in 2019, categorised project impacts into short-term, medium- to long-term, and cumulative long-term effects.
Short-term impacts, expected during the 5–7-year construction phase, include vegetation clearance, increased vehicle traffic, and noise. Mitigation strategies focus on limiting disturbance and restoring habitats post-construction.
Medium- to long-term impacts, projected over 10 to 25 years, are largely driven by demographic shifts caused by in-migration. These shifts can intensify pressure on natural resources and lead to illegal activities such as poaching and deforestation. Cumulative impacts, extending beyond 25 years, result from the combined effects of multiple developments in the region.
To address these challenges, TotalEnergies EP Uganda collaborates with government agencies such as UWA, the National Forestry Authority (NFA), the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), and the Ministry of Water and Environment. Technical support is also provided by conservation partners, including the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Nature Uganda, and Ecotrust.
This collaborative approach ensures that conservation actions are evidence-based, inclusive, and sustainable. By integrating community livelihoods into conservation planning, the Tilenga Biodiversity Programme helps build local ownership and long-term resilience.
As the fencing project continues and the regional framework takes shape, stakeholders remain optimistic about the future of conservation in the Murchison Falls landscape. With sustained support and coordinated action, the region is poised to become a model for balancing development with ecological integrity.