ABSTRACT
For Uganda Langdale-Brown et al. (1964) wrote ‘There is little non-forested land below 6000 ft which is not burnt over at least once every three years’. Osmaston (1965) stated that the present appearance of Rwenzori National Park is mainly due to fire. The Uganda National Parks have always been a fire risk. An attempt was made to practise controlled burning in all the three National Parks. Rotational burning is enforced in Kabalega Falls National Park and the effects of fire on the vegetation there were published by Spence and Angus (1971). The implementation of controlled burning scheme in the Kidepo Valley National Park has been described by Ross and Harrington (1969a, 1969b) and Harrington and Ross (1974). In Rwenzori National Park controlled burning scheme has not been implemented although there was a ‘no-burn’ policy in 1965-66 which later proved impracticable. The fire-breaks constructed became overgrown and ineffective. The prevention of fire resulted in accumulation of litter and ultimately in several fierce uncontrolled fires one or two years later. Since the late 1960s fires starting in the Park have been allowed to burn.
