UWA to disburse sh175m/=to communities near Lake Mburo Park

Sep 23, 2016

Celebrated annually on the September 27, the event (world tourism day) is purposed to highlight tourism's social, cultural, political and economic value to economies.

Uganda Wildlife Authority will disburse a total of 175 million shillings to the communities adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park as revenue sharing funds for the 2014-2015, during this year's World Tourism day celebrations.

Celebrated annually on the September 27, the event (world tourism day) is purposed to highlight tourism's social, cultural, political and economic value to economies.

The Uganda Wildlife Act of 2000 mandates the wildlife agency to remit 20% of the park entry revenue collections to the local governments touching the park boundaries per annum.

Of the funds to be disbursed, Mbarara Municipal Council will receive  11,033,390/=,Isingiro District Local Government will get 74,963,193/= and Kiruhura 89,369,900/=

The funds will be used to implement development projects to empower the communities and improve livelihoods.

Some of them include; construction of water dams at Rushororo and Akaku  in Kanyaryeru sub county, opening Rwabarata -Kakunyu community access road  in Rwamuranda parish.

In Sanga sub county, the funds will support Kiribwa United poultry scheme, Rwamuhuku community conservation Association (crafts and entertainment), bull fattening in Nombe II by Abatatana Group and goat rearing in Kigarama Abakundaine Group.

According to Mr. Asa Kule Musinguzi, the chief Park Warden, Lake Mburo, the  funds will also support provision of piped water to Byembogo cell in Sanga Town council(Kizimbi ward)communities to fence valley tanks constructed with support from AWF-USAID in Rurambira(Nyakashashara sub county ,construction of Akatooma community P. School (Nyakahita).

In Isingiro District, projects to benefit include completion of a classroom block at Rukuuba PS, maintenance of Kyenjonjo road in Rwentango parish, a heifer project in Kyarugaju,Kabingo sub county  and goat rearing in Ihunga  parish among others.

Other projects in Isingiro include piggery, goat rearing and bull rearing in Mirambiro parish of Rushasha sub county while in Rugaaga Sub County, there will be completion of a classroom and office block for Kiretwa Mixed PS as well as support to Kaswina Valley Drama Actors.

Last year, Lake Mburo NP disbursed  a total sum of Uganda shillings 455,957,607. Of this, Kiruhura district received 232,364,162 shillings; Isingiro district 194,906,332 shillings and Mbarara District 28,687,113 shillings for implementation of identified projects.

The national park receives on average 26,000 visitors per annum.

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