The Uganda wildlife Authority has taken over security of Rhinos at the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola district. This is with an intent of ensuring safety of the Rhino at the ranch that have been threatened by two managing partners of the Sanctuary.
The move was announced in the press release written by Bashir Hangi ,The Communications Manager at the Uganda wildlife Authority on the 16th April 2021.
The press release revealed that the beef up of security by Uganda wildlife Authority came as a result of the ongoing rifle between Zziwa Rhino and wildlife Ranches (ZRWR), the custodians of the Zziwa land where the rhino abode and Rhino Fund Uganda (RFU), an NGO responsible for managing the Rhino.
The misunderstanding between the two aforementioned parties has prompted The Uganda wildlife Authority to intervene where possible with an intent of securing the rhinos till the two sort out their differences.
The Uganda wildlife Authority further stated that it has a mandate to protect all the wildlife resources in Uganda as by the Uganda wildlife Act 2019. It also stressed that it is not involved in the conflict and remains impartial. They also hope that the two grieved organisations will solve their conflicts amicably.
It also elaborated that in the future, the rhinos will be introduced to the protected areas managed by UWA as feasible studies have been conducted to identify the best habitable places for the rhinos to live.
The rhinos are one of the popular big five animals that are highly sought after by tourists who visit the different national parks of Uganda. However, these rhinos are only found at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola District, an area within the vicinity of Murchison Falls National Park.
A Uganda Self drive trip to the Northern Part of Uganda enables tourists to watch the big five animals in the wild. They always see the rhinos at ZZiwa Rhino sanctuary and the other big four; lions, leopards, buffaloes and elephants at Murchison Falls National Park.
