Key information:
- For many years, the park has remained a focal point of conflicts between park officials and nearby residents concerning land boundaries and resource usage.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has revealed intentions to station members of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) within and near Mount Elgon National Park as part of initiatives aimed at enhancing preservation and safeguarding the area against ongoing intrusion.
The decision follows increasing worries about unlawful actions within the protected zone, such as farming, deforestation, and hunting, according to conservation workers who claim these acts are endangering one of Uganda's most delicate environments. Mount Elgon National Park, covering the Bugisu and Sebei sub-regions, has long faced ongoing conflicts between park administrators and nearby residents regarding border markers and resource usage.
During a meeting with stakeholders before the formal opening of the Mbale Satellite Center of the Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservation Centre (UWECC) in Mbale City, the UWA Commissioner for Community Conservation, Mr. David Musingo, stated that the organization has requested assistance from the armed forces to strengthen wildlife protection initiatives. According to Mr. Musingo, UPDF personnel, who are receiving training within the 3rd Division in Moroto, will assist in safeguarding the reserve and aid in implementing environmental regulations.
"Individuals wish to fell trees while others aim to grow crops, despite being aware that this is a restricted zone. We will accurately delineate the borders to ensure our community avoids issues. In this location, we plan to introduce firearms as the locals prefer stricter measures. We have called upon 4,000 UPDF troops to assist in safeguarding Mount Elgon," he stated.
Justification
He mentioned that staff from UWA had faced numerous attacks while performing their responsibilities. "Our rangers have been stabbed and some have lost their lives. I am aware that our team members have also experienced harassment. We will now take up arms, making things more difficult for those who target us since we can’t stand idly by as our people are murdered," Mr Musingo stated. Although he backed stricter enforcement actions, the commissioner highlighted that education and involvement with local communities were still the best long-term approaches to addressing conservation issues.
He stated that the recently created Mbale Satellite Centre would act as a center for wildlife education and awareness, enabling local people to recognize the significance of preservation and the financial benefits linked to travel. "In my view, I support reducing weapons and expanding the number of teachers we have. We must foster peace, which is exactly why this centre was launched," he mentioned. Mr. Musingo also expressed worry about the vanishing of black-and-white colobus monkeys in certain areas of Mount Elgon National Park, linking their decrease to being hunted for use in traditional Imbalu initiation ceremonies.
"Many regions have seen the disappearance of black-and-white colobus monkeys due to hunting for Imbalu clothing. We must work to reintroduce them," he stated. The stakeholder conference also highlighted advancements at the newly established Mbale Wildlife Centre, a site that UWA representatives think will enhance tourism in eastern Uganda and serve as a key venue for conservation awareness.
Situated beside the Mbale-Tororo road, the facility has been under development since 2024. Many of the buildings are now finished, and various creatures such as lions, monkeys, leopards, zebra, waterbuck, an ostrich, and peacocks have already arrived.
The facility is overseen by the Uganda Wildlife Education and Conservation Centre and aims to serve simultaneously as a zoo and an instructional hub. As stated by Mr Musingo, the initiative seeks to draw tourists to eastern Uganda and inspire them to discover additional tourist spots in the Bugisu and Sebei areas. "We established this place to promote growth in the area. It will boost tourism since animals naturally act as learning tools," he mentioned. He highlighted that Mbale's advantageous position close to the Kenyan frontier and along key transportation corridors makes it suitable to gain from cross-border tourism.
Mr. Musingo stated that revenue generated from tourism in Bugisu continues to be much less compared to what is seen in Uganda's well-known tourist spots. "Very few visitors come to Mount Elgon National Park," he mentioned, adding that annual figures were around Shs10 million, whereas areas like Bwindi and Murchison Falls see nearly Shs1 billion. Officials from UWA believe that enhancing tourism facilities and raising public knowledge about the area's offerings can reduce this difference. The acting chief warden of Mount Elgon National Park, Godfrey Matanda, supported the suggested military presence, noting that wildlife rangers have faced multiple assaults while safeguarding the park.
Over 30 rangers have sustained injuries, with approximately five losing their lives. "We can't keep going at this pace," remarked Mr. Matanda. "The firearms are being deployed to ensure the safety of the mountain, and for many years, UWA has endured considerable challenges from local communities." The tourism industry has expressed approval regarding the establishment of the Mbale Wildlife Centre. According to Mr. Saleh Naminya, CEO of Casa Uganda Safaris and Lodges, eastern Uganda has historically faced constraints in developing tourist offerings even though it holds substantial natural attractions.
"We now have a chance to incorporate this distinctive wildlife center into our coffee tourism and cultural offerings. In addition to the animals, the facility allows guests to observe wildlife in a more authentic setting. This is the opportunity we've been hoping for," he stated.
Benefits of centre
Mr. Naminya stated that the facility will provide chances for hotels, travel agencies, and businesspeople throughout the area. "For the hospitality sector, this represents a commercial chance, and for entrepreneurs, even more possibilities will arise. It’s an excellent opportunity as well as valuable experience for our youth," he mentioned. Mr. Moses Buyera, principal of Mbale Secondary School, noted that the center will lower expenses incurred by schools when arranging study trips to Entebbe.
"For schools in Mbale, this has resolved the issue of where students will go on field trips since we've had to rent buses, incur significant expenses, and travel lengthy distances to reach Entebbe. We hope all the animals remain here so that people won’t have a justification to head to Kampala," he stated. UWA representatives also took the opportunity during the meeting to inform local communities about rules related to wildlife conservation. Mr. Annuel Ainemagara, a zookeeper with UWA, cautioned locals against housing wild animals without proper permits or trying to save wildlife without permission.
Only rangers and animal caretakers trained at UWA are permitted to carry out wildlife rescue operations within the community. One benefit of having this zoo in the area is that it will also aid in the rehabilitation of animals, and we hope for support from the local people," he stated. However, some attendees expressed worries that must be addressed for successful conservation initiatives.
Mr. Mike Mungoma Matepe, an inhabitant of Bulambuli District, requested assistance from UWA to support local populations in dealing with rising damage caused by birds, mainly affecting rice growers.
A retired entomologist and ex-lecturer at Makerere University, Peter Kiwuso, emphasized the importance of broad public education initiatives to tackle concerns and misunderstandings about the wildlife center. "Certain individuals claim they're introducing lions to intimidate people and their livestock," he mentioned. Regarding the colobus monkey, he added, "we must offer substitutes for the traditional Imbalu headgear and tail."
Mr. Dan Mirembe, head of the Mbale Wildlife Centre, mentioned that the administration intends to add more species, such as the Laurent frog, an endangered amphibian native solely to Mount Elgon and now under threat of disappearing. He called on local residents around conservation zones to implement agricultural methods that reduce clashes between people and wildlife.
"Communities must become accustomed to residing close to protected zones by cultivating plants that are rarely preferred by wildlife," he stated.