By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
KISORO
Residents of Gitenderi and Rukongi parish in Nyarusiza Sub County in Kisoro district yesterday received items worth 130 million shillings as part of revenue sharing fund.
The items are 12 tents to the villages in Gitenderi parish and 90 rain water harvesting tanks to 90 selected residents of Rukongi parish and were delivered by Nyarusiza Sub County in Kisoro district.
Nyarusiza sub county was allocated over 180 million shillings out of the over 790 million shillings that was received by the district as the 20% revenue share on income generated from tourism for the year 2022.
A section of residents commended Uganda Wildlife Authority and the government of Uganda for always giving back to residents near the national parks saying that it will always motivate them to conserve them more.
The LC1 chairperson of Gitenderi parish said that the tents are a source of shade on local functions that will reduce encroachments on Mgahinga national parks in search for poles to make local tents.
Beneficiaries from Rukongi parish said that the water tanks provided to them are a great addition to their families because water access has been a challenge especially after Kabiranyuma water ceased.
The Nyarusiza LCIII Chairman, Nsabimana Erasmus asked the beneficiary parish residents to improve their good partnership with UWA especially in conservation if they must benefit more.
The Nyarusiza sub county chief, Sebagabo Davidi asked residents to always plan for more sustaining projects if they are to benefit better from revenue sharing funds. The Kisoro district assistant Chief administrative officer (ACAO), Manase Rukundo advised residents to live in harmony with Mgahinga national park because more visible and invisible benefits are still coming to them because of the park.
The Warden In-charge of Mgahinga National Park asked residents to utilise well items received to create more wealth amongst them. He revealed that there are other World Bank projects in Nyarusiza like tree planting, improved stoves among others which are boosters of development in the sub county, added to other government ventures.