UWA gives sh111m to districts in the west

Jul 05, 2009

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has given over sh111m to districts neighbouring Kibaale National Park.

By Hope Mafaranga
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has given over sh111m to districts neighbouring Kibaale National Park.

The UWA spokesperson, Lillian Nsubuga, said the authority is required by law to pay 20% of the entry fees collected from wildlife protected areas to the local governments surrounding the park.

The money was handed over to Kamwenge, Kabarole, Kasese and Kyenjojo district officials at Isunga Kibaale National Park headquarters in Kasenda sub-county, Kabarole district on Thursday.

Kasese and Kyenjojo received sh12m each, Kamwenge sh35m and Kabarole sh36m.

Nsubuga said the programme would ensure that local communities benefit from wildlife conservation.

She added that in 2006, UWA decided to channel the revenue sharing funds to income generating activities in line with the Prosperity-for-All programme.

She said since 2001, the organisation has disbursed over sh1.5b to the neighbouring communities.

“This has caused a significant improvement in the lives of the people,” she noted.

Nsubuga said some of the money would be used to construct elephant deterrent trenches, adding that elephants were destroying people’s gardens creating conflict between the park and the community.

The function was attended by the chief administrative officers and resident district commissioners of the benefiting districts.

The Kabarole resident district commissioner, Kakonge Kambarage, called upon the district leaders to ensure that the funds are utilised as indicated in their project proposals.

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