'Invasive species should be declared a national disaster'

By Julius Luwemba

Cabinet and Parliament have been asked to declare invasive species in Uganda's protected areas, as a national disaster. 

Dr Pantaleon Kasoma Mukasa, the outgoing board chairperson for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), says invasive species have become a big challenge, especially in savannah game parks like Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth.

"Some places are turning from grassland parks into forested parks. Obviously, that poses a challenge to wildlife conservation and also poses a challenge to the economic well-being of a country because nature-based tourism is going to be greatly impacted by these invasive species that lead to lack of habitat of typical grassland species," he says. 

Kasoma adds that almost all the big five (wild animals) are grassland species which are sought after by most tourists.

Tourism minister Tom Butime (seated right) having a photo moment with the new board of trustees for Uganda Wildlife Authority at Sheraton Hotel on Thursday

He made the appeal while handing over office to the new board chairperson Prof. James Kalema during a function held on Thursday evening at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel. 

"It is getting more complicated than UWA can address. It requires a multi-sectoral approach to be handled in a broader way. If we prioritise this as a national emergency, we may find enough resources to address it," Kasoma said.

Invasive species and other exotic plants in Uganda's protected areas are reportedly caused by effects of climate change, resulting in unprecedented weather patterns characterised by long dry spells and flooding.

The invasive species have acidic qualities and thorns, making them hard to digest by animals. Such a state of affairs is the cause of wildlife migration after their grazing menu becomes unpalatable.

Prof. James Kalema, the new UWA board chairperson, said the invasive species include Salvinia molesta, dichrostachys cinerea, lantana camara, parthenium hysterophorus, opuntia vulgaris and imperata cylindrical. 

Christopher Masaba, a warden in Queen Elizabeth National Park, also earlier mentioned invasive species such as maeruade cumbens, caesalepina decaputala, acacia hockey, tecoma stan, senna siamea and etia peruviana. When herbivores migrate, carnivores follow.

Kalema, the newly appointed chairperson of the tenth board said invasive species have a huge potential to spread over a large area within a very short period of time.  

Overseeing the handover Tourism Minister Col. (rtd) Tom Butime lauded members of the previous board for steering the wildlife authority through the times of COVID-19. To members of the new board, Butime tasked them to balance stakeholder interests, noting that wildlife conservation involves numerous stakeholders, each with their own interests.

Regarding invasive species, Butime said that wildlife conservation is about having the right habitat and dealing with threats to wildlife population growth.  

According to Doreen Katusime, the ministry's permanent secretary, the board is also expected to contribute to Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan III as well as the tourism sector development plan. The charter signed by board members looks at issues such as human-wildlife conflicts, capacity building, community conservation and developing strategic partnerships.

Apart from the chairperson Kalema, the new board comprise nine other members: Marion Tukahurirwa, Dr Stella Atim, Dr Daniel Aleper, Annet Kobusinge, Prof. Simeon Wanyama, Raymon Engena, Jane Bagonza, George Owoyesigire and Sam Mwandha. 

The ceremony was attended by several stakeholders in the tourism and conservation field plus representatives from all the agencies under the tourism ministry.