Communities surrounding Kibale National Park have long endured threats from wildlife, including African elephants, chimpanzees, and red colobus monkeys.
To address these challenges, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and its partners have implemented sustainable human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies, including digging trenches, installing beehive fences, planting tea as a buffer crop, and promoting garlic farming.
Although effective, these initiatives have left some residents skeptical about their long-term impact.
Kibale National Park, spanning approximately 775 square kilometres, has historically faced significant human-wildlife conflict.
Elephants frequently roamed into nearby communities, destroying crops and threatening livelihoods. However, innovative interventions are transforming lives and reducing wildlife encroachment.
In Isunga Central, Kasenda Sub-county, Kabarole District, up to 50 elephants would invade the village weekly, causing widespread damage and injuries.
Now, with the introduction of elephant deterrent trenches and boardwalks, sightings have significantly dropped.
Moses Bahati, a resident, notes the dramatic change.
"In 2022 and last year, we were sleeping outside, banging jerrycans to scare elephants away from our homes and gardens," he said.
"Elephants are clever; they used to find gaps where there were no barriers and cross into our side. But now, apart from three or four elephants near swamps where deterrents haven’t been installed, we no longer have to worry."
The trenches, which are two metres deep and wide, and the 150-metre-long, two-metre-high deterrent boardwalks have reduced crop raids from 300 incidents to 100 during peak seasons.
John Justice Tibesigwa, the Chief Warden of the Kibale Conservation Area, explained that the boardwalks were introduced in areas where digging trenches was impractical.
"There are rocky and wetland areas where trenches are impossible. That’s why we developed these deterrent boardwalks, and as you’ve heard from the community, they are effective," Tibesigwa said.
To support local residents further, UWA has launched livelihood projects such as distributing 77 rainwater harvesting tanks, each with a capacity of 5,000 litres, and initiating beekeeping ventures.
The tanks improve water access, and the beekeeping projects not only deter elephants but also provide sustainable income. An additional 25 tanks are currently being procured for distribution.
Energy-saving cookstoves are another transformative intervention. These stoves reduce firewood usage, limiting the need to cut down trees and thereby reducing human-animal contact.
Scovia Mweteise, a resident of Kyakabuzi in Rurama Parish, praised the stoves for saving time and resources.
"It saves firewood, reduces smoke, and allows me to prepare two meals faster and more efficiently," she said, adding that her household spends significantly less time collecting firewood.
UWA has also integrated forest restoration into its community engagement efforts. The restoration project, led by UWA and its partners, including the FACE Foundation, has employed nearly 500 people and shared revenue from carbon sales. Of Kibale’s 10,000 hectares, 8,000 hectares have already been restored.
Richard Kigenyi, Warden of Forest Restoration at Kibale National Park, noted the project's dual benefits of ecological restoration and community employment.
Meanwhile, Rose Mutonyi, Warden of Community Conservation, highlighted efforts to rehabilitate former poachers, who now help identify potential poaching hotspots.
Education plays a crucial role in conservation efforts. UWA sensitises communities on the ecological and monetary value of protecting wildlife while raising awareness about the risks of entering protected areas illegally.
A survey by the Nile Post revealed a positive relationship between community involvement in these projects and improved perceptions of UWA and development partners, including the World Bank.
In Kasenda Sub-county, beneficiaries have embraced these practices and encouraged others to adopt conservation-friendly methods.
The success of these interventions reflects the power of community-led conservation. Residents are calling for the expansion of such efforts to unprotected zones, underscoring the importance of holistic and sustainable approaches to human-wildlife conflict.
UWA’s work in Kibale National Park demonstrates that conservation and community development can coexist.
By improving livelihoods, fostering sustainable practices, and reducing human-wildlife conflict, UWA is not only safeguarding biodiversity but also enhancing the well-being of local communities.