The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has initiated a valuation process for properties belonging to households residing within the Ajai Wildlife Reserve in Madi Okollo District.
The valuation follows the recent completion of a surveying exercise aimed at identifying landowners and assessing land sizes. This step is part of preparations for compensating and relocating these households.
Billy Kasingye, a government valuer from the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development’s zonal land office in Arua City, stated that the ten-day exercise will evaluate various properties, including crops, trees, graves, and land size. This comprehensive assessment is crucial for ensuring fair compensation.
Fred Kiiza, Chief Warden at Murchison Falls National Park, added that during the valuation, the affected households will review and document the properties on their land. This documentation will support a smooth compensation and relocation process.
According to the survey report, approximately 490 acres of land within the Ajai Wildlife Reserve are currently occupied by the affected households. Faima Letiru, Speaker of Madi Okollo District, has called for transparency and participatory practices throughout the valuation to prevent disputes during the compensation phase.
The eleven affected households, collectively known as “The Degia Community,” are located in the northern section of the Ajai Wildlife Reserve. Predominantly from the Aliba and Pamoli clans, these households established themselves in the area prior to the reserve’s gazetting in 1965.
This land valuation is timely, aligning with UWA’s broader conservation efforts, which include the translocation of 200 Uganda Kobs and 50 buffaloes to prepare the habitat for the reintroduction of white rhinos. The reintroduction initiative, which began in November 2023, aims to restore the white rhinos to their original habitat within the reserve. The UWA plans to introduce the white rhinos next year as outlined in their roadmap.