Kampala — Tourism attractions are a natural resource we must appreciate. Therefore, the population living near these attractions should be natural beneficiaries of these resources. In many cases, however, this is not the case.

Last week, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) gave sh111m to districts in western Uganda that surround Kibaale National Park. UWA has in the last eight years given sh1.5b as 20% of all funds collected from parks to the districts, as required by law.

For the money to have meaning to the local population, it has to be seen to help change their lives. The money should be used to provide, roads, safe and clean drinking water and electricity facilities.

To utilise the money more effectively, every project carried out using this money should be marked out. Local governments have got a tendency to claim ownership of projects whose sources of funding they do not know. It will also reduce the population's endless cries of abuse of their resources.

In the long-term, the expectations and needs of tourists can lead to the creation of new businesses and commercial activities. This builds a more diverse economic base and reduces reliance on one business enterprise, which is often the case in rural communities.

With more businesses, more employment opportunities are created. If possible, this money can be spent under the same guidelines that regulate the spending of the 25% taxes that are returned to the villages. The population can sit and debate what to use the money for. This will make them more involved.

As long as the people feel that they are beneficiaries of the natural resource in their midst, they will appreciate its existence more. Activities like poaching, that endanger the attractions will also reduce.

Benefits from other natural resources, for example minerals, should be handled in the same open way, rather than simply wiring funds to the respective district budgets without informing the population.