Until a few years ago, the area where the reserve sits was a famous battleground for two traditional pastoral groups, the Karamajongs of northeastern Uganda and the Pokot who originated from Kenya.
The main road which leads through the reserve right up into Matheniko & Bokora Wildlife Reserve and into Kidepo Valley National Park formed the boundary which both tribes crisscrossed to raid one another, in a period of ruthless cattle rustling. Peace has however since returned to this region, and tourism continues to flourish.
In 1958, the southern section of Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve was gazetted as the Debasien Animal Sanctuary. However, the boundaries of this reserve were threatened when the then Government of Uganda established a project just south of the Girik River for agricultural production. This escalated threats on the reserve resources which hard-pressed the state to expand the area northward and rename it Pian Upe Game Reserve in 1964.
In 2003, there was a proposal to degazette the reserve for fruit farming but this was blocked.
The Government of Uganda, fortunately, has recently expressed interest in upgrading Pian Upe Game Reserve to National Park status, and efforts to restock wildlife numbers are in the process, as well as plans to open up more areas for tourism development.
Until a few years ago, the area where the reserve sits was a famous battleground for two traditional pastoral groups, the Karamajongs of northeastern Uganda and the Pokot who originated from Kenya.
The main road which leads through the reserve right up into Matheniko & Bokora Wildlife Reserve and into Kidepo Valley National Park formed the boundary which both tribes crisscrossed to raid one another, in a period of ruthless cattle rustling. Peace has however since returned to this region, and tourism continues to flourish.
In 1958, the southern section of Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve was gazetted as the Debasien Animal Sanctuary. However, the boundaries of this reserve were threatened when the then Government of Uganda established a project just south of the Girik River for agricultural production. This escalated threats on the reserve resources which hard-pressed the state to expand the area northward and rename it Pian Upe Game Reserve in 1964.
In 2003, there was a proposal to degazette the reserve for fruit farming but this was blocked.
The Government of Uganda, fortunately, has recently expressed interest in upgrading Pian Upe Game Reserve to National Park status, and efforts to restock wildlife numbers are in the process, as well as plans to open up more areas for tourism development.