By Hanning Mbabazi
Mbale: Sour relations erupted between officials of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and residents of four sub-counties neighboring Mount Elgon National Park in Mbale District.
Pandemonium broke out when locals stormed Mbale District headquarters to raise their grievances over the recent UWA land demarcation, protesting against encroachment on their land.
Residents of Bubyangu, Budwale, Wanale and Busano sub-counties led by Badru Mafabi accused District leaders of keeping silent as officials from UWA planted Mark stones in their land.
They also alleged that during the planting of mark stones, their food crops like cassava, Irish potatoes, and cabbage among others were destroyed.
The Bubyangu Sub-County LCIII chairperson Abudala Magidu Busito added that over 5,000 homes have since been curved into the National Park during the demarcation.
Nandudu Sarah, another resident alleges that UWA is planning to take over
their land in the disguise of boundary marking.
Muhammad Mafabi, the Mbale district speaker and District councilor representing
Bubyangu Sub County blamed UWA of starting re-gazetting exercise without
involving local leaders.
Bernard Mujasi, Mbale LCV Chairman said UWA should go back to resolutions of
the agreed boundary of 1993 and stop encroaching on people’s land.
Fredrick Kizza, the Manager Mount Elgon Conservation Area said, UWA was
operating lawfully by demarcating the boundaries of the park.
“In this country, we have laws which we should follow, we should not just
imagine things because your grandfather once lived there, the people should
respect the gazetted boundary as reopened in 2017,” Kizza said.
Kizza also said that the boundaries of the park were supposed to be re-opened in 2017 but the process was frustrated by politicians.
There have been several clashes between the residents living near the park
and the UWA officials, leading to loss of lives.
In 2013, John Gimei, a resident of Bumasifwa sub-county was shot dead by park
rangers when he went into the park in search for herbs.
The following year, about 15 gunmen raided the UWA camp on Mt Elgon National Game Park, killed three rangers and made away with their guns.
In October 2016, residents of Bunamoli parish in Bubyangu Sub County, Mbale district invaded Mt Elgon National Park to repossess chunks of agricultural land, which they claimed belonged to them.
