Joseph Wanzusi
12 October 2009
Kampala — THE Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bududa district government to restore formerly encroached areas of Mt. Elgon National Park.
The agreement will be implemented by the local communities that live along the park boundary, with guidance from UWA. The five-year agreement gives the communities access to allocated plots in the park for annual crop growing and planting of trees.
"No cultivation of perennial crops will be allowed apart from the tree species that will have been supplied by UWA," the agreement stated. Residents will not be allowed to erect houses for permanent or temporary stay on the area being restored.
They can only access the allocated plots between 7:00am and 6:00pm. The land allocated to the community remains under UWA, the agreement further states. Speaking at the function held at the district headquarters, UWA boss Moses Mapesa described the pact as a landmark in collaborative management of the park.
"Let this agreement end wars between UWA and the community which has on some occasions led to destruction of the park's forest and loss of human life." He urged the people of Bududa to stop cutting down trees but instead plant forests so that they can benefit from carbon trading.
He warned local leaders and UWA officials against asking the community to pay for the plots, adding that the Police will arrest and prosecute them.
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