By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
SUAM BORDER
Uganda and Kenya have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly conserve the Mt. Elgon ecosystem as a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. The agreement was signed by Uganda’s Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Doreen Katusiime, and Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage, Sylvia Museiya, in a ceremony held at the Suam border in Kenya’s Trans-Nzoia County on Friday.
The MoU aims to enhance cooperation in the protection, conservation, and sustainable management of Mt. Elgon as a shared natural resource. This agreement underscores the commitment of both nations to work together in preserving the biodiversity of the region while ensuring the sustainable use of its resources.
The Mt. Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve encompasses Mt. Elgon National Park, a vital ecological area that is home to diverse wildlife and indigenous flora. However, the park has been a source of conflict between local communities and conservation authorities. Over the years, tensions have arisen due to land use disputes, with some community members clashing with park management over resource access.
Elgon National Park Commandant Samuel Amanya revealed that these conflicts have, in some instances, resulted in the loss of lives among Uganda Wildlife Authority personnel, while many others have sustained injuries.
To symbolize this historic collaboration, the two Permanent Secretaries laid foundation stones on both the Ugandan and Kenyan sides of the border on behalf of Uganda’s Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi.
This conservation effort has also received international recognition. UNESCO has officially designated the Mount Elgon Transboundary Biosphere Reserve as the second of its kind in Africa and the first in Eastern and Southern Africa. The reserve is expected to serve as a hub for scientific research, education, and sustainable development, further strengthening environmental conservation efforts in the region.
The signing of the MoU marks a significant step towards ensuring the long-term preservation of Mt. Elgon’s natural heritage while fostering collaboration between Uganda and Kenya in environmental stewardship.
