The Uganda Wildlife Authority is set to conduct an operation against wildlife encroachers especially residents of Masaba Sub-County in Sironko District living around National Parks.
This follows locals of Sironko continuously encroaching on deputed boundaries of the National Park which the authority said is interfering with the peace of the wild.
According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, criminals are driving wild animals towards extinction yet it is an essential part of Uganda’s heritage and the tourism sector.
The Ministry of Lands report of 2018 indicates that, the community has encroached on over 6,746 hectares of the Mt Elgon National Park land.
Early this year, Tom Butime, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities said that over 48 families in Sironko and Mbale Districts were living inside the conservation area, in which he demanded the locals that encroached on the park be evicted.
According to UWA, despite several warnings, locals in Sironko, mabale and other areas around Mt. Elgon have remained adamant and continued to encroach on the national park.
The local communities have been cautioned by UWA against encroaching on the designated land.
According to local authorities in Sironko, thy expect to host the Prime Minister Hon. Robinah Nabbanj on Saturday, 11th November 2022 to resolve encroachment of Mt Elgon conservation reserve.
Local communities in Sironko and Mbale have occupied high altitude areas which is risky in case of landslides. According to the District , it is exposing people to possible environmental hazards. In August 2022, UWA slashed crops that belonged to over 500 residents of Masaba Sub-County, Sironko district for alleged encroachment on Mount Elgon national park land.