OWOMUGISHA .T
Residents of several parishes in Rugyeyo sub-county, Kanungu District, are decrying the ongoing destruction caused by a growing number of stray dogs in their communities, which they say has not only affected their livelihoods but also left them feeling unsafe in their own homes.
The communities of Nyarurambi, Kashojwa, and Nyakabungo Town Council—particularly in the cells of Shunga, Rweibare, Kyampungu, and Kabahesi—have experienced three consecutive months of attacks on domestic animals and birds. The stray dogs, mostly seen at night or in grazing fields, are said to have killed goats, sheep, pigs, cows, hens, and turkeys, which many residents depended on for income and nutrition.
John Mwesigwa, a resident of Kyampungu village in Nyarurambi parish, shared his experience as a victim of the stray dog menace.
Mwesigwa, like many others, had invested in livestock using funds received under the Parish Development Model (PDM). Now, as they continue losing animals to the attacks, residents are unsure how they will repay the government loans.
Elias Kategaya, the LC1 Chairperson who also heads all Local Council leaders in the area, says that despite several attempts to hunt down the dogs and even previous government plans to poison them, the problem persists.
Local leaders now want a more sustainable and humane approach to ending the threat. The community fears the continued loss of livestock will reverse economic gains achieved through government programs like PDM.
Rugyeyo LC3 Chairperson Elias Kanyoonza also confirmed that the problem has reached alarming levels, with his own household having suffered losses. He emphasized that authorities are working hard to trace and eliminate the stray dogs to protect people and their livelihoods.
Kenneth Bejuna, the Sub-county Veterinary Officer for Rugyeyo, said the issue spans multiple wards, including Nyakabungo town council. He acknowledged that poison supplies used to cull the stray dogs have run out at the district level, though he has raised the matter with the relevant veterinary officials for urgent restocking.
Bejuna added that while they await government intervention, they have sensitized farmers on protective measures. Once the stray dogs are dealt with, the next step will include vaccinating domestic dogs and urging owners to prevent them from roaming, so they are not mistaken for strays.
As Rugyeyo sub-county grapples with this growing problem, affected residents continue to urge for a coordinated response from both district and central government authorities to ensure their safety and protect the livestock economy in rural Kanungu.
