Beneficiaries of revenue sharing funds in Kisoro have been called up to prepare their projects ahead of the release of Uganda Wildlife Authority’s funds for the Financial Year 2023/24.
Kisoro district tourism officer, Richard Munezero, told www.vomuhabura.com that much as the amount of the funds is yet to be known, communities should prepare their projects ahead of the release.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) shares some of the money it earns from tourism with communities neighbouring the national parks and wildlife reserves. These are communities living near the Mgahinga and Bwindi Gorilla National parks.
The money comes from the Park entrance fees tourist pay. UWA shares 20% of each Park entrance fee. In addition, at Bwindi, UWA shares 10 US dollars (effective from 1st July 2015 – an increase from 5 US dollars previously) from each gorilla tracking permit sold.
In Kisoro, beneficiary administrative units are Rubuguri, Nyanamo and Nkuringo town councils in Bukimbiri County, Nyarusiza and Muramba sub counties in Bufumbira South.
According to Munezero, communities will this time receive fewer funds than the previous release.
He explained that this is due to ‘the fact that UWA recently reviewed its revenue sharing policy.’
“UWA used to release funds for two financial years at once, but the system has now changed. We shall be receiving funds for one financial year.”
According to Munezero, the family from Rubuguri Town Council whose 14-year-old boy was attacked by a baboon will receive compensation from UWA.
“We’ve spoken to UWA and they are making arrangements to ensure the victim receives compensation from government. The family has received forms to fill and that the procedure for compensation.”
Meanwhile, Munezero regretted that the much-anticipated tourism peak season has not met their expectations.
Without giving statistics, he said the number of tourists visiting Kisoro has reduced, but attributed this to the change in the booking system among other factors.
About Revenue Sharing Projects
Each village bordering the Park forms a Community Project Management Committee. The Committee writes applications for projects selected during village meetings.
The Village Chairman forwards the proposals to the Parish Development Committee, which selects the most important projects and submits them to the Sub County Chief.
The Sub County Chief calls a meeting at which the Parish Chiefs, the Conservation Area Manager and other government officers pick the best projects.
These are integrated into district development plans after which the Chief Administrative Officer asks UWA to release the funds for them.
Only villages that share a boundary with the Park are included in the programme. This is because they bear more of the costs of conservation, such as crop damage, than other villages that are further away from the Park.
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