SHUT: UWA Closes ZIWA RHINO SANCTUARY As Management Rift Deepens

By ROBERT KAMUKAMA

KAMPALA-SHIFTMEDIA- The decision was inevitable especially following the deaths of Rhinos in recent months at the facility.

Thus the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has in line with its mandate of protecting wildlife resources in Uganda as per the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019, decided to take over full charge of Security of the Rhinos at Ziwa Sanctuary in Nakasongola district in order to secure the rhinos at the sanctuary.

In a statement issued by UWA on Tuesday, it noted that for this to be effectively done, UWA has, with immediate effect, closed Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to the public and as such, no tourism activities will be undertaken until further
notice.
The closure has been triggered by the persistent misunderstandings between Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranches (ZRWR), the owners of the land where the rhinos are being bred, and Rhino Fund Uganda (RFU), an NGO that has been managing the rhinos at the Sanctuary.

UWA ‘s communication manager Bashir Hangi said UWA realized that the conflict could potentially compromise the safety of the rhinos and took this decision to avert the threat.

“Therefore, the closure is a temporary measure as the government engages the two parties with a view of mooting a lasting solution to the conflict,” said Hangi.

UWA noted that it is not to party to the conflicts between Ziwa and Wildlife Ranches and Rhino Fund Uganda
and it reiterates their impartiality in the matter while stressing their mandate as an institution established to protect Uganda’s wildlife heritage.