Parliament Demands Probe into Alleged UWA Ranger Killings

The Parliament of Uganda has urged for an impartial inquiry into serious allegations of killings and disappearances involving Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers. This call comes from the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, which presented its findings on human-wildlife conflict during a parliamentary session.

Deputy Committee Chairperson, Hon. Patrick Aeku, presented a report detailing accusations in districts like Nwoya, Buliisa, and Kasese. The report states that rangers allegedly used excessive force against individuals found or suspected of being in national parks without authorization. Disturbingly, some families claim the bodies of victims were never returned.

One specific case mentioned involved the Koyo Clan in Nwoya District, reportedly losing 11 members over three years in park-related incidents where bodies were not recovered. While UWA attributes park deaths primarily to confrontations with armed poachers, the committee noted it could not independently verify these claims.

Despite acknowledging the dangerous conditions rangers face, the committee expressed deep concern over the persistent and widespread nature of these allegations. They emphasized that such unresolved suspicions damage relations between UWA and local communities, hindering cooperation on wildlife conflict issues.

Alongside the call for investigation, the committee proposed 65 recommendations to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. These include fencing key national parks like Lake Mburo and Murchison Falls, expanding beehive fencing, maintaining trenches, and constructing crocodile-exclusion enclosures.

Vice President Jessica Alupo pledged government support for addressing these concerns, recognizing the national benefits of tourism and wildlife conservation. She stressed the importance of community sensitization regarding safety measures and personal responsibility.

During the debate, Members of Parliament shared harrowing accounts of wildlife attacks, crop destruction, and worsening food insecurity in communities near parks. The State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Susan Nakawuki, noted that UWA rangers themselves face significant risks, with over a thousand killed or injured by poachers.