By Jumah Kakomo
The government of Uganda has announced an ambitious plan to fence key national parks as part of a strategy to address the growing human-wildlife conflicts that have led to the loss of lives, property, and other economic challenges. The initiative, led by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), aims to safeguard both human communities and wildlife, particularly the country’s iconic lion population.
Dr. James Musinguzi, the Director of Community Conservation and Extra Services at UWA, explained that encroachment of agricultural land into wildlife habitats has significantly increased human-wildlife conflicts. He emphasized that as farmers expand their land into national parks and game reserves, wildlife, particularly lions, are being displaced, leading to violent confrontations between humans and animals.
“Lions are a vital part of our ecosystem and tourism industry,” Dr. Musinguzi said. “Their decline threatens not only our biodiversity but also the tourism sector, which is a significant contributor to Uganda’s economic growth.”
Over the past two years, Uganda has lost more than 100 lions, with human-wildlife conflicts accounting for approximately 70% of lion deaths. Poaching, habitat loss, and depletion of prey have further compounded the issue, making urgent action necessary to protect these majestic animals.
In response, UWA has identified three major national parks—Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley—where fencing will be implemented to create clear boundaries between human settlements and wildlife habitats. These measures are part of a broader effort to mitigate the risks of conflict and to preserve Uganda’s rich biodiversity.
Dr. Musinguzi also highlighted that the fencing initiative will be accompanied by a range of community-focused programs. These include educational campaigns on wildlife conservation, as well as the introduction of a compensation scheme for people whose crops and livestock are damaged by wildlife, specifically lions. The compensation scheme will be governed by the Uganda Wildlife Act 2024, which provides a legal framework for regulating wildlife-related damages.
“This move aims to foster peaceful coexistence between communities and wildlife,” Musinguzi stated. “The Compensation Fund will provide financial support to those affected by lion attacks, ensuring that people are not unfairly burdened by wildlife conflicts.”
The government’s plan to fence national parks is expected to reduce the frequency of human-wildlife conflicts, protect wildlife populations, and support the livelihoods of communities living near these parks. However, Dr. Musinguzi urged for continued community involvement and cooperation to ensure the success of the initiative.
“We must work together to protect our wildlife and ensure that people living near national parks benefit from the conservation efforts,” he added.
