In a shocking revelation that has ignited a heated debate, security officers manning the national parks have come under fire for allegedly causing the deaths of several residents near Mount Elgon National Park.
Hon. William Chemonges (NRM, Kween County) raised alarm during a plenary session on Wednesday, 29th January 2025, claiming that these officers, who are supposed to protect both wildlife and local communities, have been responsible for a number of fatalities.
Chemonges recounted a particularly tragic incident where a local resident was reportedly beaten to death by security personnel in Kakwata, a village close to the national park. The man had ventured into the park to collect Cyprus tree branches, a resource commonly used by locals for building.
According to Chemonges, this incident is far from isolated, as between 2021 and 2025, a total of 14 individuals have allegedly lost their lives due to encounters with security officers at Mount Elgon.
“These deaths have raised serious concerns in our community. People are being killed simply for accessing resources they’ve depended on for generations,” Chemonges said, calling for immediate action to address the crisis.
Video of Hon. William Chemonges (Kween County) Making Submission
The issue has sparked outrage among legislators, with calls for greater accountability and transparency in the operations of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the government body responsible for managing national parks and wildlife protection.
The rising tension between security officers and local residents has been attributed to unclear boundaries between national parks and neighboring communities.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, weighed in on the issue, highlighting the role of inconsistent boundary demarcations in fuelling conflict. Tayebwa explained that the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s current boundaries, as outlined in 1992, differ from those proposed by the President in 1963.
This discrepancy has caused confusion, particularly in areas like Ruhinda North County, where local residents were granted residential space within Queen Elizabeth National Park as far back as the 1950s.
“People have lived in these areas for decades, yet they are now being evicted by the National Forestry Authority because of what they consider ‘forest land,’” Tayebwa stated.
He called for a thorough examination of boundary lines across the country to prevent further clashes between park authorities and local populations.
To address these ongoing issues, Tayebwa has instructed the Committee on Tourism, Trade, and Industry to visit various communities adjacent to national parks and prepare a report on the matter.
He confirmed that the findings would be presented to Parliament next Tuesday, with a call for the Minister for Tourism to provide a concrete response.
Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama also addressed the situation, announcing that Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja would be visiting the affected areas. Nakadama promised that the Prime Minister would provide a comprehensive update to Parliament, ensuring that the government takes necessary actions to resolve the ongoing tensions.
As this crisis unfolds, questions are mounting about the balance between wildlife conservation and the rights of the communities living alongside national parks.
With 14 lives lost and growing unrest, it’s clear that urgent reforms are needed to protect both human and environmental interests.Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
CC: POU
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