By Brian Atuhura

The Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA)has said the fencing of protected areas around Murchison Falls National Park is being carried out in phases as part of efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflicts in communities neighbouring the park.

Wilson Kagoro,the UWA Conservation Education Officer attached to Murchison Falls National Park,said the phased electric fencing programme is intended to prevent wild animals from straying out of the protected area and entering people's gardens and plantations.

Kagoro said the completion of the electric fence is expected to reduce incidents of wildfire destroying crops and other property belonging to communities living near the park.

He made the remarks during a validation workshop for the Murchison Falls Protected Area General Management plan for the period 2026/2027 to 2035/2036,held at the Masindi District headquarters.

He said the fencing programme is part of broader conservation interventions aimed at improving relations between protected areas authorities and neighbouring communities while reducing the impact of wildlife on people's livelihoods.

During the workshop,Brenda Kyomuhendo,a Senior Conservation Planner at UWA,presented the General Management Plan,which will guide conservation and management activities in the Murchison Falls Protected Area for the next ten years.

Kyomuhendo identified several challenges that require attention under the plan,including poaching,wildfires,oil and gas exploration and other developments,invasive alien species,human-wildlife conflicts,boundary disputes and over exploitation of natural resources.

She also highlighted key conservation values that the management plan seeks to protect.These include Murchison Falls and the Victoria Nile landscape,the Murchison Falls Albert Delta wetland and aquatic system,diverse and regionally significant ecosystem services and other benefits to surrounding communities.
.The plan is expected to provide a framework for addressing conservation challenges while safeguarding the ecological,cultural and economic values of the Murchison Falls Protected Area for present and future generations.

Meanwhile,Fred Kisembo,the Senior Assistant Chief Administrative Officer(SACAO),who represented the Masindi District Chief Administrative Officer,raised concerns about delays in the release of revenue-sharing funds from UWA to the district.

Kisembo said Masindi's revenue share has remained unchanged for a long period despite the district's important role in relation to the protected area.

He also noted that districts that were previously part of Masindi,including Buliisa and Kiryandongo,receive higher revenue shares,which he said needs to be addressed.

The concerns underscored the importance of ensuring that local governments and communities neighbouring protected areas receive timely and meaningful benefits from conservation and tourism activities.

Closing the engagement,District Vice-chair person Bright Mugume,who represented the District Chairperson,stressed the need for continued wildlife protection if communities and local governments are to benefit from increased revenue generated from protected areas.

Mugume called for continued cooperation among UWA,local governments,communities and other stakeholders to ensure wildlife is protected and the benefits of conservation and tourism are sustained.

He also commended UWA for organising the Open Park Days held from September 25 to 27 ,2026.