UGANDA, Namisindwa | Real Muloodi News | Namisindwa locals from Bunamulunyi Parish in Mukoto Sub-county have accused the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) of allegedly conducting forceful evictions and destroying property despite a court order.
The residents, from Nabeki, Maalo, Sibanga, and Kizuyi villages, claim that UWA has not adhered to a legal directive that was issued on April 5.
The Deputy Registrar of Mbale High Court issued an interim order that instructed UWA to cease evicting the locals from the contested land.
The order also restrained UWA from destroying the locals’ crops or property until the main application was heard and resolved.
The court order followed a lawsuit filed by 30 locals, including Mr David Masika Nasimoloh, Mr David Timbiti, Mr Nathan Namulunyi, and Mr John Namono, against UWA for its alleged actions.
Despite the court order, UWA rangers reportedly raided the villages on Tuesday last week, destroying crops and burning houses, according to a letter signed by Sibanga village chairperson Jacob Ngati.
Ngati also addressed a letter to the Namisindwa Resident District Commissioner (RDC) regarding the matter. Ms. Irene Nelima, a resident, claimed that people living near Mt. Elgon National Park have faced harassment by UWA rangers for encroaching on parkland.
“Our efforts to seek help for the harassment and property destruction by UWA rangers have been met with little success,” Nelima stated.
Mr. Emma Bwayo, the district male youth councillor, spoke against UWA’s alleged defiance of the court order. He emphasized the importance of finding a fair resolution that balances conservation efforts with the rights and livelihoods of people living near protected areas.
Namisindwa RDC Mr Imran Muluga confirmed receiving the petition from locals and said he plans to convene an intelligence committee meeting to review the court order and assess the damages.
When contacted, UWA Communications Manager Mr. Bashir Hangi could not confirm nor deny any operations in the area. “Our operations take place inside protected areas,” Hangi said. “Once you’re inside protected areas, we cannot allow you in. Our responsibility is to keep protected areas intact.”
Hangi emphasized that operations within protected areas are considered legal.
“If someone rushes to court and obtains an interim order, it may not have much impact if they are in protected areas. We focus on removing them from these areas before addressing the issue, as protected areas are not for human settlement or cattle grazing,” he said.
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