Pte. Jonathan Olara is the latest addition to the horrifying list of wildlife rangers mumbling sad goodbyes to their unsuspecting loved ones who await a heroic return, only to brace for untimely grief – a never-ending rollercoaster of the ranger-poacher bloody battle.
Pte Olara now joins many conservation heroes whose gallant lives were cut short by an angry mob, caught in a crossfire between protectors and poachers of wildlife, bled out from a gunshot wound before reaching the hospital among other fatal yet not uncommon situations.
While addressing guests at the second edition of the Uganda Conservation Media Awards held in October, the State Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Hon. Martin Mugarra highlighted such evils done by people who do not understand or choose to be blind to the essence of conservation.
The Minister emphasized that technical and enforcement teams in the sector barely succeed in explaining to some local people around the gazetted areas why encroachment on park land or killing an animal, however small, is illegal.
“It is very difficult to convince a human being as to why you can’t degazette part of the park so they can cultivate food because you want animals to eat. It just doesn’t make sense to many people which is a very big threat against conservation,” he said.
This sentiment seems to be largely shared by wildlife poachers and traffickers.
Light a conversation as it may seem, only the people on the frontline of the conservation battle understand the gravity of it all.
Many are faced with inhuman hostilities while doing their job, one that does not only put food on the table for their families but also sustains the ecosystem, the core for human and wildlife survival.
Unfortunately for some rangers, this dreaded battle has gone beyond threats from an entitled defaulter whose garden has been destroyed by elephants going about their day in their rightful territory, to pleading for a chance at life at the mercy of ruthless, armed poachers.
A conservation hero, Pte Olara, became the victim of such an encounter while on patrol within the Karenga Community Wildlife Area on November 4th.
As a dedicated member of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) team stationed in the Kidepo Valley Conservation Area, clearly, death is not among the badges Pte Olara should have had to wear for his selfless service towards wildlife protection.
Such a life being taken leaves among others; a dent in the enforcement team, a grieving family left to fend for themselves, an elephant that might be enjoying an afternoon water splash on Kazinga Channel for the very last time as the hunt for its tusks achieves a step forward, a fellow ranger left with dizzying thoughts wondering whether he will return home unscathed, and a tourism and conservation industry in the eye of a storm, a myriad of uncertainties not far off.
In a statement issued by UWA on November 5th, the Authority pledged to intensify efforts in combating poaching and other illegal activities that threaten Uganda’s wildlife and ecosystems in honor of Pte Olara’s memory.
“His courageous service and commitment to protecting Uganda’s wildlife will be deeply missed. We stand firm in our resolve to protect our conservation areas and shall continue to work with the local communities, the local government authorities and conservation partners in protecting wildlife and the integrity of its habitats for the benefit of all Ugandans,” the statement reads in part.
It further reads, “As we mourn this tremendous loss, our thoughts and prayers are with Pte Olara Jonathan’s family and loved ones. We extend our heartfelt condolences to them during this profoundly difficult time. We are committed to standing by his family and ensuring that they receive the support they need in the wake of this tragedy.”
This incident, according to UWA, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers involved in conservation work and the courage of the men and women who defend wildlife and natural heritage.
“The risks our staff face daily in the field, particularly in areas prone to illegal wildlife activities, demonstrate the critical importance of UWA’s role in safeguarding these national treasures,” the Authority said, adding that follow up on the killers for arrest and subsequent prosecution was underway.
Service beyond fear, self
A job that involves running towards a rowdy altercation, trading on the ground where predators lurk, and pledging to stand between an armed poacher or wildlife trafficking cartel and their prized animal organs is a sacrifice that transcends satisfying human needs or heeding a burning passion.
Yet, these knightly men and women choose to wear those camouflage uniforms with pride, berets atop their heads, boots as strong and sturdy as their will, heading out to conserve for generations every day.
Numerous other wildlife defenders’ candles have been blown out in the recent years. These include among others;
- Pte Okawa Charles who was killed by armed poachers on December 5, 2022 while on duty in the Kidepo Valley Conservation Area.
- Emmanuel Matsipa who lost his life on December 7th 2020 in Kibale National Park.
- Corporal Udule Patrick who was a victim of mob justice in November 2018 in the Mount Elgon Conservation Area.
- Anthony Twesigye who was gunned down by poachers in October 2016 in the Murchison Falls Conservation Area.
- Sisto Amuge who was killed in June 2016 in the Matheniko – Bokora Wildlife Reserve
- Pte Nicholas Aheebwa who suffered fatal bullet wounds in a shootout between suspected poachers and UWA rangers in the Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve in February 2014.
Conservation in the conflict-prone area
Despite the long train of cross-border tribal conflicts and internal insurgencies such as the infamous Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) whose heinous operations compromised security, making Karamoja and the Northern Uganda region a no-go area, conservation has gained resilience in the Kidepo Valley Conservation Area, which sits within the extreme Northeast of Uganda amidst the chaos.
Bordering South Sudan in the North and Kenya in the East, the beauty of Kidepo has for long been sandwiched and overshadowed by the alarming international and regional media coverage of the LRA case, the political unrest in South Sudan and the fatal ‘bickering’ between blood brothers separated by borders – the Karamojong of Uganda, Masai of Kenya and the Toposa of South Sudan.
In hindsight, however, with this massive attention, Kidepo Valley Conservation Area has become a recipient of major conservation and wildlife protection interventions by Uganda Wildlife Authority, line MDAs and development partners.
The oasis that KVCA is in the middle of the semi-arid madness, now gets to grab the right headlines thanks to pacification measures employed by the Uganda government in the region and other complementary strategies towards its betterment.
The recent interventions include;
Trainings for new rangers by UWA to boost enforcement in and around the park. Kidepo Valley National Park covers 1,442 square kilometres, a large area that demands a large number of patrolling agents for wildlife protection.
Reinforcing animal species in KVCA through translocation from other conservation areas. This serves to among others; enable quick multiplication and long term survival of particular species, boost genetic diversity and steady the food chain.
A multi-year Global Park Defense program by Global Conservation combining Park-wide communications, new Command Center and Ranger Stations, Community Protection and Biodiversity Recovery.
A move to establish new community conservancies led by the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) outside the park aimed at creating more range for animal loaming particularly the elephants of Kidepo.
