Summary:
- Kanungu District Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mwesigye Ambrose, commended the initiative, emphasizing its significance in promoting conservation and boosting tourism.
KANUNGU: In a groundbreaking initiative, Save Wildlife Uganda, a local conservation organization, has provided reformed poachers and community members living near Queen Elizabeth National Park with apiaries and goats to promote sustainable livelihoods.
The intervention, targeting communities in Kihiihi and Nyanga sub-counties of Kanungu District, is aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict and fostering conservation.
Ndorere Eric, the founder of Save Wildlife Uganda, highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between local communities and the wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park. He noted that some residents had previously turned to poaching and poisoning wildlife as a means of survival.
“By engaging these communities in farming activities that provide tangible benefits, such as goat rearing and beekeeping, we offer them an alternative and sustainable source of income that reduces their reliance on harmful practices like hunting wildlife,” he said.
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Kanungu District Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mwesigye Ambrose, commended the initiative, emphasizing its significance in promoting conservation and boosting tourism.
“Providing communities with viable enterprises that deter them from poaching is a critical step in the world of conservation,” he remarked.
Mwesigye also urged other communities near conservation areas to adopt environmentally friendly economic activities to sustain their livelihoods without degrading the ecosystem.
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Turinawe Moses, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Warden overseeing the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, applauded Save Wildlife Uganda for addressing issues of human-wildlife conflict.
“We have faced numerous challenges from neighboring communities, including poaching, which remains a major threat. However, initiatives like this provide hope for resolving these conflicts sustainably,” he explained.
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Nelson Natukunda, the LC3 Chairman of Kihiihi Sub-county, recalled past incidents where community members poisoned climbing lions, leading to arrests and strained relations with UWA.
“This project is a turning point,” he said. “For years, the government has not involved us in activities that could deter poaching. Save Wildlife Uganda’s intervention is a much-needed step towards improving household sustainability and conservation.”
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