Assessing the conservation challenges of protected areas in Uganda: a case study of Kibale National Park

Abstract

This study assessed the conservation challenges of protected areas in Uganda: a case study of Kibale national park. It specifically sought to identify the conservation challenges of protected areas, the causes of the conservation challenges and it also identified the solutions to the conservation challenges of Kibale national park. The study adopted a qualitative research design using questionnaire and interview methods of data collection. The collected data was analyzed using the statistical package for socials scientists (16th Edition). The study revealed that fencing (100%), sustainable park resource usage (29.7%), financial compensation (48.6%), law enforcement (58.6%) and integrated conservation and development were some of the approaches used by the park management staff. Despite the approaches cited, several challenges were found to affect the conservation efforts and these were poaching (100%), deforestation (82.2%), Encroachment (77.8%), Over speeding cars (33.3%). These challenges were found to arise from Illiteracy (88.8%), poverty (66.6%), failure to reinforce existent laws (55.5%). To overcome these however, the local suggested there be compensation of the locals, engaging the community, reinforcement of existent laws and community training of the park staff, providing more equipment‟s to the staff for effective duty performance, sensitization, increasing the revenue share given to the community, creating more projects for the communities, trapping of stray animals that destroy crops and the least pronounced was that of monitoring the park. The study therefore emphasized a need for more similar studies across different national parks, sensitization of the communities around the parks and also engaging locals in decision making as key recommendations which can make conservation efforts positive.