By Alex Gahima
The new interim board of Nkuringo Conservation and Development Foundation (NCDF) in Kisoro District has passed a special resolution that seeks to protect the organization from financial ruin that was caused by some individuals who wanted their own personal gains at the expense of the community.
The new Chairperson of the Organization, Tumuheirwe B. John said the new board of directors has resolved to pursue reconciliation with the former leadership of NCDF by dropping all court cases that have drained the organization’s financial capacity.
According to Tumuheirwe, the running battles in Court have affected the organization’s effectiveness with most of the beneficiaries in the community being unable to access funds for education in form of scholarships, health care and investment opportunities.
He vowed to use his four-year term to repair the broken trust in the communities that was caused by former chairman, Asgario Turyagyenda.
“The park edge communities with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are still nervous about the new leadership because they have been disappointed by those in whom they had put all their trust, but I want to assure the people that we are here to serve”, Tumuheirwe said.
Tumuheirwe explained that the organization does not have access to funds currently however since the new board has been established a new structure with signatories, monies will most likely begin to flow in the month of January 2024.
The comments were made after the first board meeting held on the 23rd of November 2023 at Orugano Gorilla Lodge, in Nkuringo Town Council.
Kisoro District LCV Chairperson Abel Bizimana said it is important for the multimillion organization to hire the services of a consultant who will assist them develop a long-term strategic plan for the Organization.
One of the clauses in the Special Resolution as amended by the new Board of Directors states that, any returns generated by the organization shall be shared equally (50%) between Nteko and Rubuguri parishes to support development activities.
According to Bizimana, social services in the area are still very poor including the road network, access to clean water, telecommunication services despite the fact that Uganda’s highest foreign exchange earner in tourism, the endangered mountain gorillas is a resource in their back yard.
Bizimana promised to lobby for more development partners in tourism and Conservation that can help steer development in Nkuringo and Rubuguri Town Councils.
Kisoro Deputy Resident District Commissioner Robert Tukamuhebwa said the power struggles within NCDF resulted in the loss of livestock by people who wish to undermine Court processes and the rule of law.
He said Police and other Security agencies will find those perpetrators and have them prosecuted in courts of law.
He commended the new leadership of NCDF for choosing the path of peace and dialogue over violence because one of the key principles of the NRM Government is social- economic transformation for all.
Conservation Partners speak out.
Ex-officials from Uganda Wildlife Authority, African Wildlife Foundation and International Gorilla Conservation Foundation (IGCP) appreciated the new development of a new board.
Nahabwe Job, the Community Conservation ranger for Nkuringo in Southern Sector said NCDF has been experiencing challenges of accessing scholarships given to students seeking vocation skills at Nkuringo Community Vocational Secondary School because the bank accounts had been frozen.
Under a special arrangement known as the Joint Management Board, NCDF qualifies to get a set number of Scholarships for vulnerable pupils and students from monies collected as remittances from Kigezi Highland tea which picks green leaf from the buffer zone.
According to Nahabwe, the vocational school in Nkuringo has not managed to enroll new students for scholarship ever since the leadership struggles in NCDF begun.
IGCP Country Coordinator Henry Mutabazi said the new board will be given an opportunity to prove that they have a different vision from the predecessor who nearly run the organization into the ground.
According to Mutabazi, the new leadership under Tumuheirwe B John has the opportunity to turn a new leaf in the history of NCDF by utilizing the resources available to them with transparency and accountability to the beneficiary communities.
Mutabazi says Clouds Lodge, a high-end tourist hotel that was constructed by African Wildlife Foundation and IGCP to benefit the communities, through NCDF is able to generate over 500 Million Shillings annually however the past leadership failed to use the funds to bring significant development to the area.
Mark Mwesigye of Mark Mwesigye and Co. Advocates said NCDF is now in position to manage its own affairs because all those who wishes to frustrate its development have been defeated in court.
Mwesigye said the four-year term for chairmanship of the Organization and not seven years has been reinstated.
Discussion about this post