IMPLICATIONS OF SPORT HUNTING ON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN UGANDA

A CASE OF NYAKASHASHARA SUB COUNTY KIRUHURA DISTRICT, WESTERN UGANDA

The study examined the implications of sport hunting on wildlife conservation in Rurambira and Nyakahita Parishes, Nyakasharara Sub County, Kiruhura District. Specifically, the study was aimed at establishing the socio-economic contributions of sport hunting, determining the perception of local communities towards sport hunting activities, and assessing the effect of sport hunting on the conservation of wildlife populations. A cross-sectional design was used for the survey. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through the use of questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, respectively. Content analysis was the main technique for qualitative data analysis, and quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS. The results show that there are improvements in local community livelihoods; some people were of the view that sport hunting had encouraged conservation, hence a relatively positive attitude towards sport hunting activities. The study also showed that animal populations increased over time because of sport hunting. The findings reveal that sport hunting is desirable since it helps the local community and leads to a decline in poaching (r = 0.271**; p = 0.000). The popularity of sport hunting has increased in support of wildlife conservation (r = 0.301*; p = 0.001). The study further revealed that sport hunting increased community income and revenues, resulting in improved livelihoods and improved infrastructure that has enhanced wildlife conservation. There is a need to increase awareness about the sport hunting program and strengthen law enforcement by recruiting village wildlife scouts to work with sport hunting companies to curb poaching.
 

Key Words: Sport Hunting, Wildlife Conservation, Kiruhura District