Court To Intervene On Land Dispute Over Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in Nature Uganda April 26, 2021

Rhino Fund Uganda in a court case is seeking a court order to stop its eviction from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Later today, the high court will pass a verdict on the same to decide on whether to grant their application.

Mr Jamson Karemani, the court registrar, set April 26 for ruling after hearing of submissions in which Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranches Ltd and its proprietor Capt Joseph Charles Roy objected to arguments by RFU.

RFU, the operators of the rhino sanctuary that is home to over 30 endangered species requested court to issue an order to stop their eviction. This is until final disposal of their main case. They said that if they don’t issue the order soon, they will suffer irreparable damages.

In their operational contract issued to them in 2002, the expiry date is after thirty years from the date of issuance. Therefore, by evicting them, it will be in violation of the contract.

An eviction notice issued by Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Wildlife Ranches Ltd and its proprietor Capt Roy triggered the court case. This came after conflicts over who will manage the sanctuary emerged amongst them.

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Earlier on, the Minister of Tourism directed the suspension of tourism activities at the sanctuary. He also ordered the Uganda Wildlife Authority to evacuate the rhinos for their safety.

Through his lawyers, Capt Roy asked the court to dismiss the application. He reasons that the government has already taken over the mismanagement of the area. Therefore, events have overtaken the application.

Court documents show that the worrying parties signed a lease of 30 years starting 2002, they terminated it in 2017. They gave RFU a two-year notice to vacate.

Apparently, they also had numerous interactions with President Museveni to resolve the disagreements between the two parties.

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