The government's failure to fully fund the Uganda Wildlife Compensation Scheme has left hundreds of victims of human-wildlife conflict without financial relief.
The Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry chaired by Hon. Sylvia Nayebare reported that only Shs3.9 billion of the required Shs7 billion had been transferred to the scheme.
The funding gap has caused significant delays in compensating families who have lost loved ones or suffered property destruction due to stray wild animals.
"The law is clear that two per cent of revenue collected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) must be allocated to the Compensation Fund yet this has not been done. As a result, victims are left without the support they are entitled to," Nayebare said.
The committee found that only Shs682 million had been paid out in verified claims over the past two financial years covering just 121 cases, while hundreds remain unsettled.
The committee’s report adopted by the House, highlighted cases of families waiting for years for compensation despite fulfilling all requirements.
The committee cited a case in Mbarara North, where Jacob Mugizi was fatally attacked by a buffalo while returning from his garden. His family followed all legal procedures, but UWA has not compensated them.
A similar case was reported in Abim District, where 57-year-old Amunyo Longoli was killed by a buffalo. His relatives are still waiting for their claim to be processed.
Beyond delays, the committee identified inconsistencies in pay-outs. While the law sets a maximum payment of Shs20 million for deaths, the MPs learnt that some victims received Shs10 million with others gettingShs28.7 million.
"We observed glaring inconsistencies in the compensation process. There is no clear formula, and this must be addressed," the report stated.
The report also noted that the slow progress in installing electric fences has also left many communities vulnerable.
While 100.5Km of fencing has been installed around Queen Elizabeth National Park and 153.5Km around Murchison Falls National Park, vast areas remain unprotected.
In response, the committee called for urgent food relief for displaced families, particularly in Alerek and Gonycogo villages where residents have been forced to flee due to frequent elephant invasions.
It also recommended amending the Wildlife Act to include additional species such as caracals, which have been reported to damage livestock but are not covered under the compensation scheme.
To resolve the compensation crisis, the committee urged UWA to prioritise the payment of outstanding claims and explore alternative payment methods such as mobile money to ease access for victims.
"Compensation delays have worsened the suffering of victims. We recommend that UWA makes payments within 30 working days of verification to ensure affected families receive timely relief," Nayebare said.
The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra said that electric fencing is a key measure to stop problem animals. He also stated that the government will consider increasing compensation for victims and ensuring payments are made without delays.
“Most of these animals like elephants used to roam sparsely populated areas with minimal human activity. They will always return to their traditional routes, and when they do, they encounter communities. The only solution is the electric fence,” he said.
Burahya County MP, Hon. Stephen Kasaija criticised UWA for failing Ugandans by not responding when called upon.
“We need to do much better. We value our animals, but we value human beings more,” he said.
Budadiri County MP, Hon. Isaias Ssasaga urged the government to expedite compensation for communities displaced from their land. “Out of 21 sub-counties in my constituency, six have been affected, and none of them has ever been compensated,” he said.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa tasked the Attorney General to follow up with mapping where UWA claims that many Ugandans, including those in Mbale and Mitooma, are living in national parks. He said the situation is worse in the Elgon area.
“My home in Mitooma will be gone. When our parents settled in 1952, the government at the time allocated them land in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Recently, the National Forestry Authority came and said we are in Maramagambo Forest,” he said.
