The Uganda Government has completed a
prioritization exercise to develop a GEF V pipeline. Three
multi-agency steering committee meetings were held, to review
various project proposals. The committee unanimously agreed that
the Kidepo critical landscape in North Eastern Uganda be given
priority for GEF 5 funding under the biodiversity focal area
because first, it is a storehouse of globally significant
biodiversity; second, biodiversity in this area is threatened, and
third, after 20 years of civil war, northern Uganda constitutes a
key development priority for the Government. A Peace Recovery and
Development Plan (PRDP) for Northern Uganda has been developed and
is now under implementation. However, there are potential threats
to biodiversity. Returning and resettling former IDPs could
potentially transform the landscape through the construction of new
settlements and infrastructure, increasing demand for fuel wood and
use of forest land for farming and other income generating
activities. Secondly, as is the case in Southern Sudan, wildlife in
this area has been de facto protected over the last 20 years on
account of instability, which constrained access, Indeed, unlike
other parts of Uganda, this area has wildlife populations
inhabiting areas outside formal protected areas. With the
ending of the war, there is a high possibility of increased
poaching of wildlife and other threats, which will reduce wildlife
numbers. There are eight protected areas within the Kidepo
Critical landscape, which provide the key vehicle for biodiversity
conservation. However, PA management capacities are weak, and the
management effectiveness of these sites remains sub optimal. A
proper management and enforcement system needs to be put in place.
Enhanced security is also needed to bolster the Ugandan
Government's efforts to reintroduce rhinos (and other species that
have become locally extinct).
