No compensation for killed relatives,UWA - Uganda Safari News

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has declined to the proposed ideal of compensating the relatives of people killed by wild animals straying from National Parks.
According to Dr. Andrew Seguya, the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority,he said that there is no law regarding compensation of people killed by the wild animals.He said that this can not implemented unless the government comes up with laws on compensation.

A man being chased by a wild animal straying from a National Park

Speaking this,he was responding to questions from the journalists which involved compensation of people killed by animals.In Uganda,elephants,lions and crocodiles are known to kill people in different parts.The executive director said that these animals sometimes come out of the protected areas.However,he said that people are also to blame because they sometimes go unprotected to protected areas and from here,they are attacked.

Many NGOs in Uganda have tried to document the lives lost at the jaws of wild animals but nothing has yet been than.They did this after the various complaints by different communities living around Uganda's national parks.The communities have now petitioned the Parliament of Uganda and the ministry of Tourism to help them out on this problem.

Last year,the Parliament of Uganda recommended that government should come up with a policy on Human animal conflict that will handle compensation for the lives lost and the property destroyed  by wild animals straying from reserves and protected areas.

Members of the Parliament have warned the government to effectively intervene to avoid conflict between the local people and the national parks since this will affect tourism in the country.If these conflicts are not stopped,the tourism sector might be affected yet it is Uganda's leading foreign exchange earner. 

A report by the Parliament committee on tourism,trade and industry states that currently,there is no policy on compensation for loss of lives and destruction of  property  around wildlife protected areas.This has greatly caused tension within the various communities living around the parks.

According to Uganda Debt Network's report,2 people from Rubirizi district were killed by animals as they were digging in their gardens,One of them ( Lawrence) was killed by an elephant in his garden while the other was killed by a buffalo.

Basing on this information,the parliament wants the government to set up appropriate barriers to bar wild animals from killing people and destroying property.One of the ways that were suggested include digging trenches and constructing cages for crocodiles.

However,there is no single report where a wild animal has attacked a tourist.There are strong measures in Uganda that help to keep tourists safe from the animals.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest's Gorilla dies aged 28 - Uganda Safaris

Aged 28,Mishaya who had lived half of his life died last Monday due to digestion problems.Mishaya has been living in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is found in the southwest of Uganda.His death was sudden after a short illness,according to the top wildlife officials.
























The lifespan of a protected mountain gorilla is 50 years,according to Dr Gladys Kalema (the director of conservation through public health). Dr Gladys Kalema described the fallen gorilla as an active,assertive and friendly gorilla which was liked by many visitors on a gorilla safari.Mishaya broke  away from Nshongi group about 2 years ago and it became the leader of the new found group.

The amusing character of Mishaya will always be missed by those who new him.He used to spice up the gorilla tracking activity in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by giving a compelling opportunity for photographs to many visitors.Such elegant primates have rapidly led to an increase in Uganda Safaris as visitors come to relax and look at their uniqueness.

Dr Seguya Andrew (the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority) said that Mishaya's death is a "blow" to the whole country as one of the most lovely gorillas,free to tourists is lost.Following Mishaya's death,the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority sent a team of veterinary doctors to do the further investigation of what was the exact cause of his death.

It is however indicated by the preliminary results that Mishaya died after the coiling of the intestines.He was the only dominant silverback ,alpha male after which a group of habituated gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Mishaya group) was named.Mishaya group is found in the southern region of Bwindi ,in Rushaga.In this southern region,there are other habituated gorilla groups including the Nshongyi group,Busingye group and Kahungye group.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park consists half of the world's total population of mountain Gorillas.These mountain gorillas are one of the rear primate species which many tourists enjoy looking at.This is the main reason why gorilla tracking in Uganda is still the leading tourism activity.
A visitor is required to obtain a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority before enjoying the activity.One can either obtain a gorilla permit online or by visiting the UWA offices.

Apart from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,gorillas in Uganda can also be found in Mgahinga gorilla National park,while in Rwanda,they are found in Volcanoes National Park.