MPs Visit Lake Mburo to Assess Human-Wildlife Conflict

What the report says

Members of Parliament from the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry have visited communities around Lake Mburo National Park to examine human-wildlife conflict, delays in compensation and the government’s response to repeated losses. According to Nile Post, the four-day oversight trip began in late August 2026 and also covers Queen Elizabeth National Park, with the lawmakers seeking direct accounts from residents living near protected areas.

The delegation, led by Vice Chairperson Patrick Aeku, was received by Uganda Wildlife Authority officials at the Lake Mburo Conservation Area. UWA’s Charles Tumwesigye and chief warden Fred Wanyama briefed the MPs on conservation measures and compensation procedures. Tumwesigye said verification of claims is handled by a national committee under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, while also noting that the government is considering changes to the Uganda Wildlife Act to help address delays.

In meetings with residents of Rwamuhuku and Mihekye villages in Sanga Sub-county, Kiruhura District, communities described crop and resource competition with wildlife, the risk of disease transmission, and slow compensation as major concerns. They also called for stronger preventive measures such as electric fencing, arguing that payments after losses do not stop the problem from recurring.

The article said UWA officials acknowledged the concerns and promised better communication with nearby communities. The committee also highlighted alternative livelihoods, including a bee-keeping initiative, as one way to reduce pressure on park resources. The visit matters because it reflects ongoing pressure on conservation areas to balance wildlife protection with the needs of people living alongside them.