Bonny Kato, the Male Councilor for Karongo ward explains that, the chimpanzees are a potential threat to the residents especially the school going children.
The incident occurred on Friday at around 4 p.m. as the heavy downpour lasted over two hours, catching the pupils at school, where they had taken shelter in their classrooms.
The operation was conducted at Hemu and Wabituju Wetlands in Nyankubebe and Kisura villages in Bwikara sub county where encroachers had cleared the wetlands and planted crops.
The most affected families are from the villages of Karangwe, Kayera, Miyeba, Karwara, Kibanja, Kabogoba, Kingungulu, Nyakarongo, and Kididima among others all in Kimengo sub-county.
The two-day heavy downpour that started on Monday evening until Tuesday evening affected villages of Kanooga, Kakihimbara, Kaisobakara, and Kayunga in Matale Sub County, Kiganda in Kyahazihire sub-county, Kiziizi Cell, Buyanja Cell and Karuguuza Cell all in Kibaale town Council.
The early torrential rains that increased water volumes in River Mubuku, River Sebwe and their channels have left gardens and a section of homes submerged.
In Bunyoro, Chimpanzees are found around Bugoma Forest Reserve in Kikuube district and Budongo Forest Reserve in Masindi district, among other places. The animals use small forest fragments along watercourses throughout the region, both on private or communal land and in small government reserves.
The rains also swept away Nyakasandara Bridge that connects Bincon and Katugo to Hanga Market paralyzing transport in the area. This has forced several residents to stay home since the only bridge that connects to the nearby Kitemba Primary school was washed away.
There is concern that the regions agri sector is not developing fast enough to meet market demands due to the lack of commercialisation, mechanisation and access to information.
Several formerly displaced persons in Gulu are bitter that high cost of seeds and farm tools may hinder their expectation to become self reliant by growing their own food after years of relying on handouts in the camps.
