Maramagambo, Kalinzu central forest reserves to be upgraded to national parks

Rukungiri – During a council sitting on Tuesday, Rukungiri district local government approved a proposal by the ministry of tourism, wildlife and antiquities to upgrade Kalinzu and Maramagambo central forest reserves to national parks.

The two central forest reserves are shared by the south-western region districts of; Rukungiri, Mitooma and Rubirizi.

Because of this, Rukungiri district was among the consulted districts by ministry of tourism, wildlife antiquities authorities to the ongoing benchmarking of the two facilities to become national game parks.

The motion was presented by the Rukungiri district secretary for education, commercial and tourism, Musimenta Claire Keredonia before the urgent council sitting involving representatives from the ministry of tourism, wildlife and antiquities to pass a motion to be presented before  Parliament for confirmation.

Keredonia asked the council to embrace the proposal saying the cause will; steer development, enhance revenue in the district by positioning Rukungiri district as a tourists catchment district.

She added that people around these parks shouldn’t be worried because security will be preventing illegal practices on the forest and invasion of wild animals on the surrounding population among others.

Rukungiri district forestry officer, Arthur Twinomujuni used the same time to convinced the council that the district has been observing contributions rendered by Uganda Wild life Authority (UWA) as well as the mother ministry of tourism, wildlife and antiquities hence recommended the approval for ample development of the forests.

Lyon Sandio, a member of the wildlife conservation in the ministry of tourism, wildlife and antiquities revealed that government observed the rapid growth of population which puts the natural resources at the risk of encroachment hence embarked on gazetting the forest reserves to protect wildlife in a way that preserves environment and generate development.

Geoffrey Kyomukama, the Rukungiri district LC5 chairperson noted that it is an initiative by government to usher development and appealed to the locals to embrace it wholeheartedly through cooperation.

The Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner Steven Nsubuga Bewayo, also asked Uganda Wildlife Authority to streamline preventive measures against animal invasion on locals and compensation in case of any loss by the locals.

However, Gideon Ntungura, a district councilor representing Bwambara sub-county and Mwebesa Emmanuel, also a district councilor for Bikurungu town council who are adjacent to the forest reserves cautioned the authorities to prioritise safety of locals against wild animals attack.