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Stakeholders within the local tourism sector are urging the government to allocate more resources and firearms to bolster efforts aimed at combating poaching activities. This plea was made by members of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Conservation and Sustainable Tourism, in collaboration with World Animal Protection, during a press conference held on Monday, March 4, 2024.
The call for increased support comes in light of the persistent challenge of poaching, which poses a significant threat to wildlife conservation efforts in the country. Maurice Kibalya, the secretary of the forum and Bugabula South representative, emphasized the need for additional funding to address the escalating incidents of poaching. Official reports reveal alarming statistics, with 2,310 wildlife crime suspects arrested in the 2020–21 financial year, along with the seizure of 22,449 poaching implements, including firearms.
Kibalya highlighted the perilous conditions faced by game rangers who often confront armed poachers in remote park areas. He stressed the importance of equipping rangers with adequate firearms, uniforms, and transportation to effectively carry out their duties. Additionally, Kibalya underscored the critical role of timely intervention in wildlife rescue operations, emphasizing the necessity of facilitating rangers to respond promptly to distress calls, such as animals caught in traps.
In addition to addressing the immediate challenges faced by game rangers, Kibalya proposed strategic measures to enhance wildlife conservation efforts. He advocated for the relocation of lions from breeding centers, such as the Wildlife Education Center (UWEC), to national parks to alleviate overcrowding and stimulate tourism in diverse park destinations. Furthermore, Kibalya called for the repeal of the Animal Act, citing its inadequacy in safeguarding wild animals from threats such as poaching.
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Echoing the sentiments of stakeholders, Edith Kabasiime, the campaign manager for Africa at World Animal Protection, emphasized the importance of leveraging digital technology to enhance wildlife protection. She advocated for the installation of digital tracking devices on lions to facilitate traceability and combat illegal trafficking of lion parts. Kabasiime highlighted the alarming incidence of lion killings for traditional medicine purposes, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions to mitigate wildlife crime.
Despite various challenges encountered, such as disease outbreaks, tourism inflows have remained resilient, demonstrating the sector’s economic significance.
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