UWA to Stock White Rhinos in West Nile

The Monitor (Kampala)

March 2, 2005

Tabu Butagira
Arua

The In-charge of community conservation at Murchison Falls National Park, Mr Corn Wall Kato, has said Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) intends to import and re-stock the fancied White Rhinos in their traditional heritage at Ajai Wildlife Reserve in West Nile.

He told The Monitor in an interview in Arua town on Monday.

Kato said the antiquities may most likely be imported from either Zaramba in the DR Congo, Namibia or South Africa.

Kato over-sees Murchison Falls National Park, Kaboya reserve in Hoima, Bugungu and Karuma Wildlife areas in Masindi, East-Madi, Dufule and Ajai Reserves in Adjumani, Moyo and Arua districts, respectively.

Ajai Wildlife reserve established in 1965 was a tourist destination, basking with the famed White Rhinos, until the 1979 liberation war when the animals were killed by poachers.

The warden In-Charge of Ajai, Mr Francis Mboga said the game reserve in Madi-Okollo county is being re-structured to make it user-friendly.

He said UWA is constructing staff houses, guest wings and a canteen expected to be completed in April this year - and acquired nature walking trails for bird and game viewing for visitors.

"So people can now come and relish the sight of a variety of fauna and flora in this exclusive and quiet site," Mboga said.

The UWA officials said Ajai has stocks of the rear shoe-bill birds, crested cranes, water bucks, wathogs, kobs, Sita Tunga and Hippopotamus, among other antiquities.

Meanwhile, UWA and Arua district authorities are sketching out ways to peacefully relocate over 40 families currently staying in Ajai Game Reserve.

Ogoko sub-county district councillor, Mr William Candia, said those affected include residents of Degia and Madele villages.