David Mafabi
27 October 2009
People living around Mt. Elgon National Park must stop encroaching on the Park, the army Spokesman has warned.
Lt Col. Felix Kulayigye said: "God gave us wisdom to harness the environment. If we don't conserve the environment, the future of our children is doomed. Encroachment must stop."
He was last week speaking during the release of a video by Uganda Human Rights Network implicating the State for human rights violation against residents who were evicted from Mt Elgon in 1993 after reaching a decision to expand the Forest Reserve into a national park.
Hundreds of evictees were reportedly not compensated for loss of property due to the development, resulting into and more encroachment and confrontation with Uganda Wildlife Authority.
According to Hurinet, about eight people were killed by the UPDF and park guards but Lt Col. Kulayigye says 14 soldiers were also killed and others maimed.
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