Why UWA has been directed to deploy documentation officers in Nwoya

________________

Tourism state minister Martin Mugarra has directed the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) chief warden of Murchison Falls National Park to deploy one officer in charge of documentation and verification of compensation claims in every sub-county bordering the park.

The officers will handle cases arising from stray elephants, including deaths, injuries, and destruction of property.

Mugarra issued the directive following complaints raised by affected communities of Lii sub-county on December 12, 2025, at Wii Got trading centre in Pakawera village.

Residents reported that the compensation process at UWA is marred by lengthy bureaucratic procedures, which many affected families cannot afford to navigate due to high associated costs.

As a result, Mugarra instructed UWA Community Conservation Warden Wilson Kagoro and chief warden Fred Kizza to ensure the deployment of UWA officers responsible for the documentation and verification of compensation claims in the five sub-counties bordering the park, Lii, Koch Goma, Anaka, Purongo, and Lungulu, so that affected communities can easily access the services.

22 deaths caused by elephants

Nwoya Resident District Commissioner Christopher Omara said in the four years he has served in the district, his office has recorded a total of 22 deaths caused by stray elephants.

Of these, 11 victims were from Lii sub-county, while the remaining 11 were from Koch Goma, Anaka, Purongo, and Lungulu.

He added that UWA has not yet compensated most of these cases due to prolonged bureaucratic procedures imposed on complainants.

Omara further revealed that 133 families affected by elephant-related killings, injuries, and crop destruction have been documented but have not received compensation to date.

He explained that only 57 families whose crops were destroyed have received compensation, and only one family that lost a relative to stray elephants has so far been compensated, receiving Sh33m according to available records.

Consequently, Mugarra also ordered the management of Murchison Falls National Park to conduct fresh documentation and verification of compensation claims.

This exercise will be carried out by UWA officers deployed at each sub-county headquarters, with support from agricultural and veterinary officers to validate damages caused by stray elephants, ensuring that affected families receive compensation in a timely manner.