By Maria Mariam Namala
KAMPALA — Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has urged the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to urgently implement Parliament’s directive suspending evictions around Mt Elgon National Park amid renewed concerns over violence linked to disputed boundaries.
Tayebwa made the call on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, while presiding over a parliamentary sitting, warning that delays in resolving the dispute could expose neighbouring communities to further insecurity.
He asked State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Susan Nakawuki to prioritise the boundary dispute, noting that complaints involving the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and residents around the park continued to arise.
Tayebwa said resolving the boundaries would be a significant step towards ending the recurring conflict between conservation authorities and communities living near the protected area.
His remarks followed concerns raised by Bungokho North MP Shafiga Wanyenya, who alleged that UWA operations had continued despite a directive issued by Speaker Jacob Markson Oboth on October 15 to suspend the evictions.
The Speaker’s directive followed reports from legislators about unrest, fatalities and destruction of property associated with disagreements over the park’s boundaries.
Wanyenya further alleged that four people had been shot in Wanale Sub-county since the directive was issued, leaving one person dead and three others injured. She called on the minister to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported death.
The legislator said the dispute between communities around Mt Elgon and UWA had persisted for years, with residents of Wanale among those affected by the disagreements.
In response, Nakawuki told Parliament that the ministry had engaged relevant stakeholders, including the Prime Minister, who was expected to consult the President on the way forward.
She said the government was considering a one-month suspension of UWA operations to allow the responsible ministries to address the boundary questions.
Nakawuki explained that the Ministry of Lands would need to mark the boundaries physically using boundary stones before engaging local communities to clarify the limits of the protected area.
She said the proposed period would give the government time to coordinate the boundary-marking exercise and work towards a lasting resolution.
The dispute around Mt Elgon National Park has remained a source of tension between conservation authorities and neighbouring communities, with calls for a clear boundary demarcation and a peaceful settlement to prevent further loss of lives and property.