UWA seeks to revive sports hunting in Kitgum’s Lipan Wilderness

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The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is in discussions with Kitgum district local leaders, particularly those representing Chua East County, to seek authorisation for the reclassification of the Lipan Wilderness as a sports hunting ground under the Karenga community conservation area.

This proposal has prompted local leaders to initiate a community engagement process aimed at gathering opinions on converting the Lipan Wilderness—currently a fertile area primarily used for agriculture—into a sports hunting zone.

The engagement process will cover various sub-counties, including the lush regions of greater Namokora, Omiya Anyima, and Orom, among others.

These discussions arose following a district council meeting where plans initiated by Uganda Wildlife Safaris, in partnership with the Karenga Kaabong Agago Kotido Kitgum Abim (KKAKKA), a community wildlife association working to enhance wildlife conservation and tourism, were put on hold.

During an emergency meeting on April 17, 2025, the council deliberated the possibility of utilising the Lipan and Tikao wilderness areas for regulated hunting activities.

However, the council ultimately decided against this proposal and established a special committee to examine the implications more thoroughly.

Many council members expressed concerns, advocating for a shift in focus from hunting gentle wildlife, which poses no threat to residents, to actively addressing the growing conflicts between humans and wildlife in the region.

Local legends suggest that before being relocated to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps during the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion from the late 19th century to the early 2000s, people practised traditional hunting in Lipan.

However, upon returning from the IDP camps, the vast land has since been repurposed primarily for agriculture.

Local authorities estimate that approximately 50,000 individuals depend on farming in the Lipan, Abunai, and Tikao areas, with many predominantly cultivating vast fields of sesame.

Sports hunting, which involves hunting wild animals for recreation or competitive purposes, can encompass various methods, including trophy hunting.

Promoters argue that it could play a crucial role in managing wildlife populations while also generating economic benefits that could be allocated for conservation efforts.

The hunting season is typically observed from April to June, with an additional period occurring in December.

Geoffrey Opyet, the LCIII chairperson of Namokora sub-county, firmly believes that the land has predominantly been transitioned to agriculture and should not be converted into a hunting zone.

Alfred Okema, another influential leader from Kiteny, raised concerns about the potential consequences of permitting hunting, fearing that residents might be restricted from accessing their essential gardens during the hunting season, which is critical for their livelihoods.

Richard Muhabwe, the chief warden of Kidepo Valley National Park, emphasised the importance of basing hunting practices on rigorous scientific research.

He underscored the necessity for comprehensive studies to assess the viability of sustainable hunting, particularly focusing on the population of older male animals suitable for harvest.

For this hunting initiative to succeed, Muhabwe argued that it is essential to gain the support of the local community and to establish clear roles and responsibilities for all parties involved.

He highlighted potential benefits stemming from sports hunting, such as financial compensation for landowners and the provision of free meat from hunted animals, both of which could significantly improve community nutrition.

Existing hunting areas in Uganda, such as Nakaseke, Lwero, and Nakasongola, serve as precedents for managing wildlife resources effectively.

Noe Opoka, the deputy speaker of Kitgum district, confirmed that the council has referred this matter back to individual sub-counties for continued dialogue.

Community reports are expected to be presented at an upcoming meeting scheduled for August, as stakeholders work to navigate the complex intersection of conservation, community needs, and wildlife management.