Politics 7 August 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Parliament to Investigate Mt. Elgon Boundary Disputes and Human Rights Allegations
The Ugandan Parliament's Committee on Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities will investigate a long-standing boundary dispute between communities near Mt. Elgon National Park and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The probe is a response to recent accusations of human rights abuses and arbitrary arrests during park boundary enforcement. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php/news/4533/house-committee-probe-mt-elgon-boundary-dispute
Lawmakers in Uganda have directed the Committee on Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to delve into the persistent boundary disputes surrounding Mt. Elgon National Park. This decision comes in the wake of renewed allegations of human rights violations, including physical assaults, livestock confiscation, and unlawful detentions, by officials against local residents.
Hon. Muhamood Masaba, representing Bungokho Central County, brought the grave concerns to the plenary session, detailing the suffering of residents in Busaano, Wanale, and Budware sub-counties. He highlighted that these issues have been raised previously, even reaching President Yoweri Museveni, who had tasked the Office of the Prime Minister to find a resolution. Masaba expressed disappointment over the lack of a formal update from the OPM on this matter.
The core of the dispute lies in decades-old disagreements over the legally recognized boundaries of Mt. Elgon National Park, which have led to recurrent clashes between the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the adjacent communities over land access, grazing, and cultivation.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa clarified that the primary entity involved in the conflict is UWA, not the National Forestry Authority. While the Minister of State for Tourism, Hon. Susan Nakawuki, initially suggested that assaults are criminal offenses that should be reported to the police, she later pledged a thorough investigation into all allegations, promising disciplinary action if any UWA officers are found to be culpable.
However, Manjiya County MP, Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, contested the minister’s portrayal, presenting testimonies of fatalities and alleged extortion by UWA rangers. Tayebwa affirmed Parliament’s role in addressing such misconduct and awaits the committee’s comprehensive report to guide future government actions.
The ministry also mentioned a presidential directive to train community leaders from the Mt. Elgon area on peaceful coexistence with wildlife and minimizing human-wildlife conflict. The committee’s findings are expected to provide a clear path forward for resolving this protracted issue.
Source: Parliament of Uganda