south section of the Park and Rii, Jobi and Jobi-East 1 in the north side of the Park)
have been drilled.
Several lakes,
17 perennial and seasonal rivers such as Hohwa River, Wambabya
River,
18 Sebugoro, Kabyosi, Warwire and Nyamasoga feed and drain in Lake Albert
also ranked as Africa’s seventh largest lake consequently all these water resources
are close to oil wells.
19
2.2 Land in the Graben
The Graben has fertile land that is used for several purposes including national parks,
wildlife reserves and forest reserves), agriculture (crops and livestock), plant species
and human settlements.
20
Albertine Land harbors 10 of the 39 wildlife protected areas Uganda boasts of,
amongst of these national parks include Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, the
Rwenzori Mountains, Kibale, Semliki, Bwindi and Mgahinga
21 and wildlife
reserves (Ajai and East Madi,
22 Bugungu and Karuma,
23 Tooro-Semliki, Kabwoya
and Kyambura,
24 and Kigezi Wildlife Reserve).
25
Several forest reserves are also situated in the Albertine such as Bugoma and
Budongo Forest Reserves.
26 The Albertine is said to hold at least 5793 different
plant varieties recorded in the region, and 551 of these species are endemic to it.
Apart for the reserves, Albertine has settlements and populations that seek
sustenance from the land through agriculture, livestock and settlement. Land tenure
in the Graben is predominantly customary with a few areas of Mailo land and
freehold tenures.
It’s also claimed that customary land tenure is likely to be stable and secure since
land is passed from one generation to another in a smooth and stable manner.
27
However it’s been criticized for its weakness in conservation and management of
common resources, conversion of land from woodland to crop production
28 and high
17 There are three main lakes; Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake George.
18 The perennial rivers (Hohwa and Wambabya) flow continuously with peak flow during the rainy
season.
19 NEMA (2009), p. 9.
20 NEMA (2009), p. 12.
21 NEMA (2009), p. 13.
22 Located in the extreme north-east of this region.
23 Situated in Buliisa and Masindi Districts respectively which are located in the immediate south.
24 Located mid-way of the region.
25 Situated in the extreme south-west.
26 NEMA (2009), p. 13.
27 Nkonya et al. (2002).
28 Nkonya et al. (2002), p. 5.
82
W. Kassim
have been drilled.
Several lakes,
17 perennial and seasonal rivers such as Hohwa River, Wambabya
River,
18 Sebugoro, Kabyosi, Warwire and Nyamasoga feed and drain in Lake Albert
also ranked as Africa’s seventh largest lake consequently all these water resources
are close to oil wells.
19
2.2 Land in the Graben
The Graben has fertile land that is used for several purposes including national parks,
wildlife reserves and forest reserves), agriculture (crops and livestock), plant species
and human settlements.
20
Albertine Land harbors 10 of the 39 wildlife protected areas Uganda boasts of,
amongst of these national parks include Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, the
Rwenzori Mountains, Kibale, Semliki, Bwindi and Mgahinga
21 and wildlife
reserves (Ajai and East Madi,
22 Bugungu and Karuma,
23 Tooro-Semliki, Kabwoya
and Kyambura,
24 and Kigezi Wildlife Reserve).
25
Several forest reserves are also situated in the Albertine such as Bugoma and
Budongo Forest Reserves.
26 The Albertine is said to hold at least 5793 different
plant varieties recorded in the region, and 551 of these species are endemic to it.
Apart for the reserves, Albertine has settlements and populations that seek
sustenance from the land through agriculture, livestock and settlement. Land tenure
in the Graben is predominantly customary with a few areas of Mailo land and
freehold tenures.
It’s also claimed that customary land tenure is likely to be stable and secure since
land is passed from one generation to another in a smooth and stable manner.
27
However it’s been criticized for its weakness in conservation and management of
common resources, conversion of land from woodland to crop production
28 and high
17 There are three main lakes; Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake George.
18 The perennial rivers (Hohwa and Wambabya) flow continuously with peak flow during the rainy
season.
19 NEMA (2009), p. 9.
20 NEMA (2009), p. 12.
21 NEMA (2009), p. 13.
22 Located in the extreme north-east of this region.
23 Situated in Buliisa and Masindi Districts respectively which are located in the immediate south.
24 Located mid-way of the region.
25 Situated in the extreme south-west.
26 NEMA (2009), p. 13.
27 Nkonya et al. (2002).
28 Nkonya et al. (2002), p. 5.
82
W. Kassim