By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa, Umoja Standard.
Western Uganda: In a groundbreaking initiative, the Ministry of Water and Environment has reignited its campaign to protect the environment and safeguard human lives near wildlife conservation areas. Through the Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPACD) project, funded by the World Bank, the ministry has constructed over 60km of live electric fences around Queen Elizabeth National Park and boardwalks, a wide trench around Kibale National Park in western Uganda.
The primary objective of this initiative is to prevent wildlife, particularly elephants and buffaloes, from encroaching into settlements and destroying crops, thereby reducing human-wildlife conflicts. According to Michael Birungi, a ranger at Queen Elizabeth National Park, “The electric fence is designed to deter animals from crossing into people’s gardens, thereby protecting their livelihoods.”
The impact of this project is already being felt by local residents. “We were on the verge of abandoning farming due to the frequent destruction of our crops by elephants and buffaloes,” said one resident. “But with the live electric fence, we can now harvest our crops, sell them, and use the income to educate our children.” Another resident added, “We’re grateful to the government of Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority for this initiative. It’s been a game-changer for us.”
Similarly, at Kibale National Park, the construction of boardwalks and a wide trench has provided relief to local residents. According to Rose Mutonyi, a game ranger, “The boardwalk is designed to make elephants think it’s a trap, thereby preventing them from crossing into settlements.” A local resident echoed this sentiment, “With the boardwalk, we have some relief. The number of elephants crossing into our gardens has reduced significantly.”
The IFPACD project has also embarked on protecting the Kalinzu Forest Eco Tourism and Camping Center in Rubirizi District. Through this initiative, local communities have been empowered with skills in bee keeping, soap making, tree planting, and other activities that generate income while promoting forest conservation.
This innovative approach to wildlife conservation and community protection showcases government’s commitment to safeguarding both human lives and the environment.
As Uganda continues to grapple with the challenges of human-wildlife conflicts, initiatives like the IFPACD project brings hope for a more sustainable and harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.