By: Our reporter
Buliisa
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has denied responsibility for the degradation reported along the banks of River Waiga and surrounding areas south of Bugungu Wildlife Reserve.
However, the authority confirmed that the visible clearing of vegetation on the right side of the road towards Buliisa town is part of its official activities aimed at curbing human-wildlife conflict and managing habitats.
Mr Bashir Hangi, the UWA Public Relations Officer, told our reporter that the area where people have reportedly pitched camp on the left side of the road towards Buliisa town is not part of the protected conservation area.
Mr Hangi explained that, under habitat management, they open up and restore some areas to promote grass growth for grazers such as Kobs and Buffaloes.
He added that UWA is also opening an approximately eight-metre-wide stretch along the road from Waiga Bridge to Waisoke offices to pave the way for the installation of an electric fence.
Despite these explanations, concerns have been raised over signs of degradation, particularly on the left side of the road towards Buliisa town, in what has long been considered a conserved area.
Buliisa District Chairperson, Mr Fred Lukumu, said the degradation south of Bugungu Wildlife Reserve is occurring on land with ownership disputes.
He noted that none of the claimants currently has official recognition as the rightful owner, based on available district records.
Mr. Lukumu could not conclusively state whether the contested land is communal, private, or public.
Though often mistaken for part of the wildlife reserve, many locals, especially members of the Bagungu community, regard the affected area as communal land where they access traditional medicinal resources and firewood among other benefits.
The cattle keepers and charcoal burners who have reportedly settled in the area, raising public concern are believed to be part of a growing influx of pastoralists since late last year.
Recently, the Buliisa Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr Longino Baheebwa Byagagaire, issued a one-week ultimatum for those occupying the land to vacate, citing environmental threats.
Mr Thomas Basaswaki, a concerned resident, said his main worry is the ongoing degradation of the riverbank “in broad daylight.”
“Even if it was private land, the riverbank is protected by law but I can see it being degraded,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Buliisa District Environment Officer were futile by press time. However, he has been citing increasing threats to fragile ecosystems in the district due to population pressure saying that government is devising various initiatives to ensure nature is protected.
