Farmers in Bududa district are in tears after rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority cut down their crops. The crops which were destroyed on Saturday include Irish potatoes, onions, beans, Maize, among others.
The rangers claim that the crops were planted inside Mt. Elgon National Park. The most affected parishes include Kasuuni and Nametsi in Bukalasi and Bundesi Sub Counties respectively.
Some farmers Sam Nangoti, Paul Matasi, Margaret Namono among others said that UWA should have given them at least two months to harvest their crops.
Francis Napoli the local council three Chairperson Bundesi Sub County blamed UWA officials for not sensitizing his community members on the boundary demarcation of the park.
According to Napoli, the boundary cannot be interpreted easily thereby requesting parliament to expedite the report about 2017/2018 boundary demarcation.
Fredrick Kiiza the Chief Warden of Mount Elgon National Park says that they have to protect and preserve the park from encroachers. He says that whoever enters the park is considered an encroacher because the park is strictly for those crops which are wild and indigenous.
In 1993, the Government demarcated the boundaries of Mt. Elgon National Park. However, another demarcation exercise was done in 2017 following demands from the community neighbouring the park.
