The birds were impounded at Bunagana in April 2022 and have been undergoing treatment and rehabilitation to ensure they can survive when returned to the wild.
T LC 1 Chairperson said that they were alerted by the alarm made by the victim but by the time residents mobilized themselves to repulse the animal, he had already died.
In their petition dated August 17, 2022 addressed to UWA, the residents contend that they are being raided by wild animals like elephants and Buffaloes which destroy their crops and cause injuries to the community members.
Sam John Mwandha, the executive director UWA said that the disbursement is the first in more than two years as a result of covid-19 restrictions and low revenue collections.
The wild animals majorly elephants, Hippopotamus, crocodiles and Buffalos from Bugungu Wildlife Conservation Area stray into the community almost on a daily basis causing havoc to locals and garden crops.
Mugara says the regulations to guide compensation are in the final stages of development by the Ministry of Justice, adding that by the end of March next year the Act will be fully operational.
According to family sources, the hippopotamus injured the deceased when he went to fetch water from Lake Albert shores. The hippopotamus injured his right leg severely as it struggled to eat it off.
For more than four years, the residents have been losing crops and fruits to animals especially elephants straying from the Murchison Park with their numbers increasing every year.
The move follows a plea by State Minister for Mineral Development Sarah Opendi earlier in September, to the Parliamentary Commission to get rid of Marabou storks around the precincts of Parliament saying they pause a health threat to the MPs.
Kyomugisha says the project has changed the lives of Rubirizi residents as they are now able to pay fees for their children in private schools and universities. She says that they have also constructed social amenities such as health facilities, energy stoves and a hotel, which has brought windfall profits that they only dreamt of in the past.
Pontus Onzima, the Chief Warden Queen Elizabeth National park, says they have registered more cases of poaching compared to the period before the lock down. Over 60 poachers have been arrested between March and May compared to only 20 in February.
The elephants raided Rutooke and Busambu vilages in Muhokya sub county where they destroyed gardens of tomatoes, Cotton, maize, vanilla and banana plantations.
According to ASP Vincent Mwesige the Kasese Police Public Relations officer he told URN reporter that the suspects had planted over one hectare of cannabis.
Fred Muywa, the chairman LCI Loch-Kapkusawar village said that a few days ago, the Buffaloes also invaded the village and ate goats. He wants UWA to intervene in the matter to save people’s source of livelihood.
Arapdison Malinga, the Suam Sub County district councilor was picked by police shortly after the murder of Chepukuto Wilfred a police officer attached to Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU)
Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson, says incident happened on Sunday evening near Sebigoro landing site in Nkondo parish in Kabwoya Sub County in Kikuube district.
Last month 11 households of Te Ogelo village in Langele Parish Kich Lii Sub County accused UWA for extending the Murchison Falls National Park boundaries four kilometres into the community land.
