Internet photo of accused Bwindi Trust Wilberforce Tumwesigye whom ex-board members want investigated
Ousted Trustees Call for Forensic Audit into Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust Operations
By Correspondent
KISORO – Former board members of the Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust (BMCT) have raised concerns over the administration of the donor-funded organization, accusing Trust Administrator Wilberforce Tumwesigye of financial mismanagement and operational oversight failures.
The dispute follows the premature exit of several board members who had questioned the trust’s administrative practices. Representatives of frontline communities surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park warn that the trust—established to support the socio-economic welfare of indigenous Batwa communities evicted during the creation of gorilla tourism zones—risks failing its core mandate.
According to the aggrieved former trustees, administrative oversight within the trust has weakened, alleging widespread operational disruptions driven by chronic leadership absenteeism.
“The Trust Administrator is rarely present at the office. An inspection of the daily attendance register confirms this,” stated a former board member who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Insiders contend that under the blanket authorization of “field monitoring” and “resource mobilization,” Tumwesigye conducts most administrative duties remotely. Former trustees allege that these extensive travel schedules have led to unsustainable financial burn rates, placing severe pressure on the organization’s internal accounting systems.
At a time when the trust is operating under severe budgetary limitations, former board members allege that Tumwesigye unilaterally adjusted his travel allowances. According to internal sources, his inland per diem was raised to UGX 300,000 per day, exclusive of secondary operational allowances, while international per diem rates were set above UGX 2,000,000 per day.
“While the administration projects efficiency in high-level stakeholder meetings, operational realities on the ground indicate significant gaps,” noted one former trustee, adding that the current leadership has not secured major donor funding proposals during its tenure compared to previous administrations.
The governance crisis escalated during a recent board meeting when members attempted to introduce the issue of administrative absenteeism into the formal agenda. Former trustees claim that instead of addressing these concerns, management coordinated with select board members to shorten the terms of vocal oversight representatives, citing “budgetary constraints,” despite their statutory mandate to serve two full terms.
In defense of his administrative record, Tumwesigye has refuted the allegations, asserting that local political figures—including Kanungu LC5 Chairman Francis Byamukama (commonly known as Kapesha)—are attempting to compromise the trust’s conservation mandate for local political gain.
However, community representatives have dismissed these assertions, maintaining that the Local Steering Committee is legally obligated to safeguard the rights and benefit-sharing mechanisms reserved for host communities adjacent to the national parks.
The ousted trustees announced plans to submit a formal petition to line government ministries and international conservation donors. The petition calls for an immediate, independent forensic audit into BMCT’s financial management and demands that the board enforce strict administrative accountability.
The post EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Board Bwindi Trust Members Blow Whistle on BMCT Boss Over ‘Choreographed’ Fund Draining and Fake Travels appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.