MINISTER KIWANDA WANTS GUIDELINES ON REVENUE SHARING FUNDS FROM UWA REVISED

By Ronalk Kabanza
www.mknewslink.com
In Kanungu

The Minister of State for Tourism Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda has advised that there is a need for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to revise revenue sharing funds guidelines to ensure that the money is duly utilized to benefit intended communities.
Hon Kiwanda made these remarks on February 29th 2020 while officiating at the Annual Ishasha Wild Run that took place inside the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kanungu District where he was the Chief runner.
Minister Kiwanda’s remarks followed complaints from residents of Rushoroza and Kibimbiri Parishes in Kihihi Sub County who are beneficiaries of Revenue Sharing Funds but claimed that the funds were being mismanaged and are not fully benefiting them.
The residents led by Kihihi Sub County LC 3 Chairman Nelson Natukunda had earlier told the Minister that not all the funds allocated to parishes by UWA reach the intended beneficiaries due to procurement guidelines.
Natukunda told the Minister that communities living at the border with Uganda National Parks are still living in abject poverty despite the money they receive.
Minister Kiwanda however said that he will convene a meeting of all District Leaders , MPs whose communities border with national parks and other stakeholders so that they can have a common agreed stand on how to share revenue funds .
“Revenue Sharing Funds have become a sensitive issue and it’s high time all stakeholders come together to share ideas on how best it can be utilized to benefit the intended communities” Hon Kiwanda Suubi said.

Kinkizi West MP Hon James Kaberuka who attended the function alongside Gen Ivan Koreta and the Acting Principal Wildlife Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Mr Candia Leone among many others, said that although UWA has been giving a lot of money to Kanungu District in form of Revenue Sharing Funds, there is nothing to show for it.
“If these funds are well planned for and put to its proper use it will go a long way in transformation of our communities and the benefit will felt now and generations to come” Hon Kaberuka noted.

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