KASESE. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is urgently seeking Shs3 trillion to combat a fast-spreading invasive plant species that has overrun 1,978 square kilometres, 40 percent of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s savannah grassland, threatening one of the country’s most important wildlife ecosystems.
The invasive sickle bush, locally known as Karema njojo, has grown into a dominant threat within the park, forming thick, thorny thickets impenetrable even to elephants. Its spread has severely suppressed natural grass regeneration, displaced key wildlife species, and driven others to possible extinction as their habitats rapidly shrink.
UWA says the growing dominance of Karema njojo is endangering the entire ecological integrity of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
According to Philemon Tumwebaze, the Officer in Charge of Ecological Monitoring and Research, UWA has deployed biological, mechanical, and manual removal strategies. However, mechanical removal using bulldozers has proven destructive, damaging natural flora and accelerating re-growth of invasive plant species .
“Manual removal costs Shs4 million per hectare for the initial clearing and Shs2 million after six months for regrowth removal,” Tumwebaze explained.
So far, UWA has manually cleared 200 hectares, successfully restoring grassland and encouraging wildlife to return to previously abandoned zones, but Tumwebaze warns that without urgent intervention, the invasive species could overrun the entire park in five years.
UWA is appealing to government, conservationists, private partners, and all nature enthusiasts to support the Shs3 trillion restoration effort.
Officials explain that the invasive species has now pushed animals deeper into community settlements in search of food, escalating human–wildlife conflict. To address this, UWA has installed 126 kilometres of electric fencing, a method first piloted successfully in Kenya in 2018.
According to Mike Birungi, Warden for Human–Wildlife Conflict, the electric fences have significantly reduced tensions and allowed farmers to cultivate right up to the park boundary.
Previous methods, including community scouts, scare shooting, beekeeping, tobacco and onion deterrents, trenching, and planting unpalatable crops, failed to deliver sustainable protection. One kilometre of electric fencing costs between Shs60 million and Shs100 million, depending on terrain.
Despite ecological pressures, Queen Elizabeth National Park recorded major gains in tourist activity. Official figures indicate that visitors at the park rose from 90,851 (FY 2023/24) to 128,804 (FY 2024/25), with revenue increasing from Shs7.73 billion to Shs8.76 billion.
UWA says saving the park is crucial not only for biodiversity but also for sustaining tourism earnings and community livelihoods.