Ibrahim Saad, who survived an elephant attack, last week says that his two acres of soya garden have been destroyed by stray elephants. He says UWA staff takes time to respond to community calls, something he thinks can be resolved by establishing more rangers outposts across the park.
Residents of
Karusandara Sub County in Kasese District have asked Uganda Wildlife
Authority-UWA to establish more ranger outposts to control animal attacks in
the community. It follows the death of a 60-year-old man who
was killed by an elephant on Saturday.
An elephant trampled on Charles
Wenjemah, a resident of Tweyambe village Karusandara while in his garden. Karusandara neighbours Queen Elizabeth national park. In March, another
stray elephant killed 54- year-old Johnstone Mbusa while sleeping in his
temporary structure beside his garden.
Ibrahim Saad, who survived
an elephant attack, last week says that his two acres of soya garden have been
destroyed by stray elephants. He says UWA staff takes time to respond to
community calls, something he thinks can be resolved by establishing more rangers outposts across the park.
//Cue in: “Soya egi nkaza….
Cue out: …nyina family.”//
Zakiya Kyomuhangi, a resident of Tweyambe says community outposts could
help to end illegal activities and improve the safety of wildlife and
humans. She says the family abandoned their commercial land after escaping
wildlife attacks.
//Cue in: “Ninsasa munonga omwange…
Cue out:….gatakwinire mugasho.”//
Emmanuel Muhibwa, another resident says wildlife attacks in the area are
increasingly worrying. Erikanjeru Byakaboinyoha, the LC 1 Tweyambe village says
elephant attacks have become common during the dry spell as they search for
food and water.
He says ranger outposts will also enable closer
collaboration, coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing between UWA and the
local communities.
//Cue in: “Government etutekereho amaani…
Cue out: …kulima ebyokulya tutekaine.”//
Matiya Masereka, the area councillor says a number of residents have abandoned
farming for fear of being killed by elephants. He demands UWA to partner
with UPDF to provide more security around communities neighbouring the park.
//Cue in: “Bagenda kufuruka baze nkaha…
Cue out: …titwine security.”//
UWA has not yet commented as none of the officials could be reached by the time
of filing this story.
