Mount Elgon National Park, a vital conservation area, has long struggled with unclear and contested boundaries, creating significant challenges for both local communities and park authorities.
A central issue has been the presence of multiple, conflicting boundary markers—dating back to the 1940s, 1980s, and 1990s—each representing different historical perspectives of what constitutes the park’s true limits.
This inconsistency has led to confusion among local farmers and residents, who often find themselves caught in a legal gray area.
The boundary issue became a significant political and social matter, eventually taking center stage in presidential campaigns.
It wasn’t until the 2016 presidential campaign that President Yoweri Museveni endorsed the long-awaited idea of reopening the national park boundary for proper demarcation, aiming to end the decades-long conflict over land rights and park management.
The proposal to revisit the park’s boundaries offered hope for a permanent solution, with the promise of greater clarity and fairness for all parties involved.
President Museveni’s endorsement signaled the government’s commitment to addressing the issue and restoring trust between the community, conservationists, and government authorities.
However, despite the endorsement, the boundary demarcation process has yet to be fully realized, leaving Mount Elgon National Park in a state of unresolved tension and uncertainty.
Discussions involving the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and key stakeholders led to notable progress, such as the opening and surveying of the park’s boundaries in 2018. However, the exercise was shortly abandoned after only a few pillars were planted in Bududa District.
While the Ministry of Lands took the lead, the project stalled due to a lack of follow-up, ultimately leading to its abandonment.
“We discovered areas of encroachment from both the community and the government,” said Wilson Watira, former District Chairperson of Bududa.
“It looks like the government is not interested in sourcing a permanent solution to the impasse,” said Emma Bwayo, a District Councilor for Namisindwa.
The abrupt halt to the demarcation project has left a void, with boundary lines still unclear and disputes continuing to fester.
The absence of clear boundaries has led to ongoing land conflicts, with both the park and local communities struggling to navigate the complex question of land rights.
“We have been waiting for the report of the boundary reopening exercise for subsequent implementation, but to no avail,” Watira added.
With no definitive boundaries in place, residents are left discontented about what is permissible, increasing the risk of violations.
As the boundary issue remains unresolved, the park continues to face the challenge of illegal logging, encroachment, and strained relations with local communities.
Both conservation and community engagement efforts are hindered by the lack of a definitive boundary. The government’s failure to follow through on boundary reopening efforts highlights the need for continued commitment to resolving this longstanding issue.
Until clear and accurate boundaries are established, the park and its surrounding communities will remain trapped in a cycle of conflict and misunderstanding.
