GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES SHS13BN KIDEPO CONSERVATION PROJECT TO TACKLE HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT

The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Col. Tom Butime, and State Minister Hon. Susan Nsambu Nakawuki during the launch of the Kidepo Landscape Integrated Conservation and Development Project (KLICDP) in Kitgum.

By Proscovia Achomo

Gulu City

The Government of Uganda has launched a Shs13 billion (US$3.5 million) conservation project aimed at protecting the Kidepo ecosystem while addressing growing human-wildlife conflicts and improving the livelihoods of communities living around Kidepo Valley National Park.

The Kidepo Landscape Integrated Conservation and Development Project (KLICDP) 2026–2030 was launched in Kitgum District as a five-year intervention to promote sustainable conservation, strengthen community participation, and ensure local people benefit from protecting wildlife.

The project is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and will be implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), together with IFAW, IUCN ABD Ministry of Local Government across seven districts surrounding Kidepo Valley National Park: Kitgum, Agago, Lamwo, Abim, Karenga, Kotido, and Kaabong.

The initiative is built around five key components, including reducing illegal wildlife trade and trafficking such as poaching, addressing human-wildlife conflict, increasing local community benefits from conservation, enhancing landscape biodiversity management, and promoting human-wildlife coexistence within the Kidepo Community Conservation Area.

Speaking at the launch, KLICDP Project Manager Frank Mukalazi said the project is a Government of Uganda initiative intended to serve communities and involve them in conservation efforts.

“This project belongs to the Government of Uganda and has come to serve the people of Uganda. It is guided by the principle of inclusiveness, and we shall include everyone, especially community members who are willing to work with us,” Mukalazi said.

He said conservation efforts are more successful when communities living near protected areas are involved and benefit from wildlife resources.

“We have seen that communities that actively participate in conservation benefit from wildlife. I have been to Kenya and seen how communities are benefiting from wildlife, and we want to see similar benefits around Kidepo,” he added.

Kitgum Municipality Vice Chairperson Smith Opon welcomed the project, saying it comes at a time when communities are facing serious challenges from human-wildlife conflict.

Opon revealed that six people, all women, have been killed by elephants in the district since the beginning of the year, describing the situation as a major concern for residents.

“Human-wildlife conflict is rampant in our communities, and we have lost six people, all women, due to elephant attacks since the year began,” Opon said.

He expressed hope that the project would help address elephant invasions and provide support to families affected by wildlife-related incidents.

“We believe this project will help us find solutions to elephant invasions and also support compensation for victims of wildlife attacks,” he added.

Speaking during the launch, the Chief Warden of Kidepo Valley National Park, Erick Enyel Morris, highlighted the opportunities within the Kidepo landscape, saying conservation efforts are creating pathways for wildlife protection, tourism growth, and improved community livelihoods.

Morris said the increasing wildlife population, improved security, and investments in tourism infrastructure present opportunities for communities to benefit from conservation through initiatives such as wildlife-based enterprises and stronger partnerships between conservation authorities and local communities.

Launching the project, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Col.Rtd Tom Butime, said the initiative will help communities understand the value of wildlife, participate in conservation, and benefit from protecting Uganda’s natural heritage.

“This project is to help communities appreciate wildlife, participate in their protection and benefit from wildlife. We must make sure this is the last frontier where these animals have taken refuge,” Butime said.

The minister described the initiative as a major milestone for the region, saying it would help improve acceptance of conservation programmes among communities and local leaders.

“For me, this is a game changer in this area. I have no doubt that many questions will be answered, there will be acceptability of wildlife issues, and we will preserve our heritage,” Butime said.

The Kidepo Landscape, anchored by Kidepo Valley National Park, which was established in 1962, covers approximately 1,442 square kilometres, while the wider Kidepo conservation landscape extends across 956 square kilometres.

It is one of Uganda’s most important conservation frontiers, supporting rich biodiversity with 86 mammal species and 462 bird species. However, the ecosystem is increasingly facing challenges from human-wildlife conflict, climate variability, and growing livelihood pressures among surrounding communities.