Game rangers want recognition as heroes

Game rangers from the Kibale National Park are asking government to recognize their efforts to nation building by recognizing them as national heroes.

In Uganda game park rangers work under the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and are in charge of wildlife resources that include national parks, wildlife reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

Currently, UWA is charged with the responsibility of managing 10 national parks, 12 wildlife reserves but also provides guidance to 13 wildlife sanctuaries and 5 community wildlife areas.

It is the mandate of the rangers to coordinate, monitor and supervise all activities related to wildlife management in the country.

Speaking during an event to commemorate the World Rangers Day, Wilson Kagoro the community conservation officer Kibale National Park disclosed that a number of rangers have been killed by wildlife while others have been killed by falling trees while on duty.

Kagoro explained that other rangers have died while fighting wildfires while others have been shot at by poachers or fallen into deadly traps that target wildlife.

"Rangers need to be recognized heroes of conservation on the national Heroes' Day and monuments set up in memory of our colleagues" Kagoro said.

Kagoro said that despite the challenges, UWA is so determined to conserve, economically develop and sustainably manage the wildlife of Uganda in partnership with the neighbouring communities and stakeholders for the benefit of the people of Uganda and the global community. 

Wilfred Chemutai the acting manager Kibale Conservation Area commended rangers in Uganda for exhibiting courage, bravery and patriotism.

"We join the rest of the ranger fraternity in Uganda and the world over to celebrate this day but also work with communities living next to the park to create awareness about global concerns including climate change negative impacts, environment degradation"  Chemutai said.

He noted that rangers protect and preserve the world's natural and cultural treasures that include national parks, wildlife reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

During the event, rangers together with the community were involved in a series of activities that among others included planting of indigenous tree species and town cleaning at Rwaitera in Rutete sub county Kabarole district.

Richard Rwabuhinga the Kabarole district chairperson said that planting indigenous trees is a good gesture in trying to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.

"Indigenous trees absorb a lot of carbon in the atmosphere that is emitted by some of our human activities including among others deforestation and environmental degradation" Rwabuhinga said.