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Effectiveness of Community Engagement in Wildlife Conservation Management of Uganda Parks

Presenter: Jennifer Apil

Authors: Wilson Okaka1 and Jennifer Apil 2 Kyambogo University, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda 1Tel: 256 782588846. Email:[email protected] 2Tel: +256 774685826. Email: [email protected] Okaka & Apil

1st - 4th August. 2017 – Kampala (Uganda)

ISSUES 

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We assess the effectiveness of local communities in in national parks ecosystem engaged in the wildlife social ecology of the 10 Uganda national park (NPs). The objective is to establish the extent to which the adjacent local communities are involved in the eco-

conservation management of national parks in tandem with the national wildlife authority policy. Conflict issues in communities, management, biodiversity (human-animal and human-human). Okaka & Apil


Map of Uganda Showing the Locations of the National Parks (NPs) and some national Game Reserves (GRs) distributed to various ecosystems across the country which the British war-time Premier, Sir Winston Churchill, described as, The Pearl of Africa.

Okaka & Apil


Problem Statement 

For decades, the harmonization of community’s role in joint national park (NP) eco-management policies, plans, programmes, projects, pilots, and research; have been undertaken in Uganda since her political independence (1962); but the prospects of effective local community participation has not only eluded most adjacent communities; but also emerged as one of the perpetual sources of different patterns of ecoconflicts among local adjacent to park communities, wildlife ecosystem, and park management hitherto. Community awareness of policies is quite wanting. Okaka & Apil


Methods 

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We undertook a methods – triangulation approach that involved a review and analysis of data sources or documents obtained from the government, key national institutions, UN, international development agencies, internet searches, news bulletins, key informants, and from the official special reports too. The main areas of focus were the local community leaders, local communities, national park staff, local council leaders, religious leaders, lead institutional leaders, and civil society organizations like NGOs. Okaka & Apil


Findings 1 of 2 

There are sprinkles of (sporadic) active local community around the 10 national park biodiversity ecosystems.

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There are key disconnects between research and policies.

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Policy information gaps promote or cause regular social, economic, ecological, or political preventable conflicts;

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Local communities are concerned about financial sharing.

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Local participation are characterised by joint planning and decision making meetings, team management, public awareness campaigns, land use, and protection of wildlife on private land ring fenced for spot (trophy) hunting. Okaka & Apil


Findings 2 of 2 •: • • • • • • •

Community media is weak. The content be enhanced. Gender inequality against women is still a cultural issue. Poverty and social exclusion are key sources of conflicts. Climate change has emerged as a major socio-eco issues. Official corruption by government staff is too cancerous. Human-animal conflicts are persistent: wild animals destroy crops, live stock, injure or kill people and people retaliate. Mitigations of human - animal conflicts have been applied e.g, technology like drones used against park elephants. Public awareness campaigns use: mass media, social media, and interpersonal communication strategies. Okaka & Apil 1st - 4th August. 2017 – Kampala (Uganda)

CONCLUSIONS Conservation

management problems are afflicted by conflicts facing the NP authority internally, NP against communities, as well as the human – animal conflicts in the NP ecosystems. There is a crucial need to strengthen community engagement for sustainable park wildlife eco-biodiversity conservation, allround-stakeholders’ coordination, policy awareness advocacy, private-public partnerships (PPPs), gender equality practice, research information dissemination, and north-south alliances. Climate change & variability impacts present new prospects & challenges of community’s role in park eco-management. The media have a critical role to enhance policy awareness. Local involvement has been improved by good governance. Okaka & Apil 1st - 4th August. 2017 – Kampala (Uganda)

Acknowledgements    

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2017 4IIC Secretariat at Kyambogo University (Uganda). Guests from Chukwuemeka Udumegwu Ojukwu University (Nigeria), universities of Eldoret and Mount Kenya (Kenya) 4IIC Organising Committee and Special Committees, Vice Chancellors, University Councils, Top Managements, Students, Technical, Support, and Administration Personnel the Universities of Eldoret (Kenya), Chukwuemeka Udumegwu Ojukwu University (Nigeria), Mount Kenya (Kenya), and the host. 4IIC Secretariat & Special Committees for the 4 IIC 2017; Chairs, Press, Rapporteurs, Presenters, Collaborators, & Guests; The Governments & Peoples of the Conference Participating States; Thank You for Your Kind Attention. May God Bless You All. Okaka & Apil 1st - 4th August. 2017 – Kampala (Uganda)