By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The Management of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA-) has today March 4, 2025 seen off 45 former employees of the National Agriculture Research Organization (NARO) who have been residing in Entebbe Botanical gardens illegally for over 20 years.
The development followed expiration of an eviction notice that was issued by the outgoing UWA boss, Sam Mwandha who gave locals 14 days to vacate houses which occupy part of the land belonging to Entebbe Botanical gardens.
The ceremony to see off the affected tenants was presided over by Mr. David Musingo, the Chief Warden for Uganda Wildlife Education Conservation Center and regional satellite centers.
Mr. Musingo noted that the move to evict tenants from the staff quarters of Entebbe Botanical gardens is intended to pacify the area such that it turns into one of the most admirable tourism centers in the country.
‘The botanical gardens has been a very dangerous area with so many thieves waylaying innocent people during evening hours before terrorizing them. Ever since botanical gardens was placed under Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA), we are trying our level best to bring order in the gardens. We have discovered some houses have been accommodating people who retired a few hours ago while others are for intruders who illegally settled there,” Mr. Musingo explained.
He says the place had become a slum and many people have been severely beaten in Botanical gardens.
“We have supported them financially while others besides being given transport money, they were also given a truck to transport their household items plus their cows,” he revealed.
“I assure Ugandans that botanical gardens is secure and they shouldn’t hesitate to visit the facility. We shall ensure Botanical gardens is one of the best tourism sites that every Ugandan will yearn to visit before he/she dies,” Mr. Musingo assured locals.
The warden in charge of security at UWEC and regional satellite zones or zoos, Mr. Wilson Katamigwa, noted that Entebbe Botanical gardens had become so insecure and due to insecurity many had decided to shun it, but following the takeover by UWEC order and sanity has been restored.
“I implore locals to visit Botanical gardens and enjoy our facilities. We intend to rehabilitate the old houses within botanical gardens and once work is completed then the houses will turn into houses for our game rangers,” Mr. Katamigwa revealed.’
One of the residents who has been evicted thanked UWA for facilitating their transport back to their villages.
Another resident asked UWA to give him more time to vacate saying he had already paid school fees for children and he can only leave when the term ends.
