The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has disbursed approximately 2 billion Ugandan Shillings to Kisoro, Rubanda, and Kanungu districts. According to Dr. James Kalema, Chairperson of the UWA Board of Trustees, Kanungu has received a cheque of 1,175,006,492 Shillings, Rubanda has received 525,030,566 Shillings, while Kisoro has received 386,432,622 Shillings.
Kalema said the funds underscore UWA’s commitment to sustainable tourism and the essential partnership with local communities surrounding the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) and Mgahinga National Park. Frank Byaruhanga, the Kanungu District Speaker, urged UWA to improve transparency in fund disbursement and called for better alignment of the revenue with the communities’ pressing needs.
“I urge UWA to allocate a substantial portion, about 40%, of the revenue sharing to develop and maintain tourism roads. Poor infrastructure not only deters visitors but directly impacts our local economy,” Byaruhanga said. He also pointed out the stagnation of park entry fees and the Gorilla Levy over the years, advocating for necessary adjustments in light of the growing population and escalating human-wildlife conflicts.
