NELSON K
Residents of Kakoni Cell in Bwambara Sub-county, Rukungiri District are facing immense suffering as they spend both days and nights protecting their lives and crops from frequent wild animal attacks. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has responded, pledging continued efforts and plans to extend electric fencing to the area.
Reports from residents of Kakoni Cell indicate that wild animals escaping from Queen Elizabeth National Park regularly invade the area, causing massive destruction—especially to crops—and posing serious threats to human life.
Speaking to Boona FM, the Kakoni LC1 Chairperson, Mr. Kihingimo Wickliffe, expressed frustration, noting that the area was recently attacked by elephants that destroyed crops, particularly rice and maize.
Mr. Wickliffe said the attacks are not isolated incidents but a long-standing challenge. He explained that elephants, monkeys, and buffaloes are the most common animals threatening the community, forcing families to spend both day and night in their gardens. Residents resort to making noise and lighting fires to scare the animals away.
He further revealed that the animals often attack in large numbers and are suspected to be escaping from neighboring areas such as Kanungu and parts of Mitooma District, which are already protected by electric fences.
While appreciating UWA for providing some support items like gumboots, whistles, and wildlife scouts, Mr. Wickliffe appealed to Uganda Wildlife Authority and political leaders who have repeatedly promised solutions—especially during election campaigns—to urgently fence the area with electric wires, which he described as the most effective and lasting solution.
Local residents, led by Ms. Sharon Kyankuzirie, also voiced deep concern over the continued suffering. She said families can only harvest crops if they commit to full-time guarding of gardens, both day and night. She joined others in calling upon UWA to urgently intervene and construct an electric fence, noting that wild animal attacks have become routine.
In response, the Queen Elizabeth National Park Conservation Officer, Mr. Asiimwe Daniel, confirmed that UWA will send a team to Kakoni for further assessment of the reported destruction. He also revealed that electric fencing has already begun in Garuka Parish at River Ntungwa.
Mr. Asiimwe explained that fencing from River Ishasha to River Ntungwa has been completed, while fencing from River Ntungwa to River Rushaaya is currently ongoing. He added that plans are underway to extend the fence from Rushaaya A to Rushaaya B, continuing through Nyabubaale in Bugyera Parish, Nyakishenyi Sub-county, and finally reaching Kakoni. Wildlife scouts will soon be deployed to survey the area, especially to determine fence routes affected by river challenges.
Mr. Asiimwe sympathized with the affected communities, acknowledging that attacks are common in unfenced areas where animals escape from protected zones. He assured residents that UWA will coordinate with local leaders to meet the community, conduct sensitization, and provide additional tools to help residents safely scare away animals during attacks.
