“Enough Of Human-Wildlife Conflict” – Dr. Musinguzi Assures Karenga Communities As UWA Moves To Fence Hotspots

By Swift Reporter

Leaders and communities in Karenga District have thrown their weight behind the construction of an electric fence along wildlife conflict hotspots bordering Kidepo Valley Conservation Area, in a major step towards protecting lives, crops and livelihoods.

The decision was reached during a high-level stakeholder meeting organised by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) at Bada Sudan Hotel on August 6, where local leaders and communities agreed that fencing offered a practical way of reducing frequent encounters between residents and wild animals.

The meeting was chaired by Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Rt. Hon. Col. (Rtd) Tom Butime, and brought together Karenga leaders, including the area Member of Parliament Datom Ben Koriang, LC V Chairperson Lopeyok, district councillors, LC III chairpersons, technical officers and representatives of communities neighbouring the conservation area.

The consultations followed growing complaints from residents over wildlife destroying crops and, in some cases, causing injuries and deaths after animals moved out of Kidepo Valley Conservation Area.

The electric fencing project is being implemented following a directive by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, with fencing already established in parts of Lokori.

Communities Drop Fears Over Land

While some residents had initially expressed concern that the fencing could create opportunities for land grabbing, the consultations helped address the fears.

Representatives from the affected sub-counties eventually endorsed the project and agreed that different fencing designs could be used depending on the terrain and the nature of the conflict hotspots.

The proposed approaches include line fencing, block fencing and mobile fencing.

Butime welcomed the agreement, saying dialogue between conservation authorities and communities was essential in finding lasting solutions to human-wildlife conflict.

“It is very important for all stakeholders to meet, discuss and agree on solutions that benefit both people and wildlife,” Butime said.

He noted that the fencing project follows a presidential directive and called on Kidepo management to move ahead with the resolutions reached by the stakeholders.

The minister also disclosed that government is reviewing the wildlife compensation policy in a bid to make it easier and faster for communities affected by wildlife damage to receive compensation.

Farmers Welcome Protection

Karenga District LC V Chairperson Lopeyok described the agreement as a significant development for communities that have repeatedly lost crops to wildlife.

He said Karenga has historically been an important food-producing area, with agricultural produce also supporting neighbouring areas, including parts of South Sudan.

However, repeated crop raids have left farmers struggling to protect their harvests.

“Karenga has suffered greatly from wildlife destroying crops. Our district has been a food basket for many areas, including South Sudan, but because of continuous crop raids, farmers are losing their harvests. We fully support the construction of the electric fence,” Lopeyok said.

The State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Susan Nakawuki Nsambu, encouraged communities to view conservation not only as a responsibility but also as an economic opportunity.

She urged residents to explore tourism-related enterprises, including crafts, to supplement household incomes.

“Beyond protecting crops, communities should invest in tourism by producing and selling crafts. In places like Bwindi, some handcrafted items sell for as much as Shs150,000, creating sustainable incomes for local people,” she said.

UWA: Fence Will Follow Park Boundary

UWA Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi assured residents that the fencing would be constructed with consideration for wildlife movement and the established boundaries of the conservation area.

He said UWA would follow recognised wildlife corridors and the official park boundary to avoid disrupting wildlife conservation while providing greater protection to neighbouring communities.

“Electric fencing is the most practical solution for peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. As the human population grows while land remains limited, we must protect both livelihoods and conservation,” Musinguzi said.

He added that UWA would work to guide wildlife back into the protected area while reducing the risks faced by surrounding communities.

Musinguzi also announced changes aimed at making compensation payments more accessible.

He said wildlife compensation claims below Shs5 million would be paid through mobile money, urging claimants to register mobile money numbers in their official names.

The move is expected to reduce some of the delays associated with processing and paying compensation claims.

Construction Set To Begin

At the end of the stakeholder engagement, district leaders and community representatives unanimously resolved that construction of the electric fence should begin immediately, with implementation expected to start as early as the following day.

The project is expected to provide an additional layer of protection for communities living near Kidepo Valley Conservation Area while helping UWA manage wildlife movement.

For Karenga residents, the intervention offers hope that farmers will be able to cultivate their land with fewer attacks on crops and that communities can coexist with wildlife without repeatedly paying the price through loss of food, property and lives.