MASINDI, March 11, 2025 – Residents of several villages, including Bagidadi, Kitengule, Ipedi, Kimina, Kiruli, and Nyakarongo, among others, which border Murchison Falls National Park in Masindi District, have been complaining for many years about the increasing number of elephants crossing from the park and destroying their crops, and killing people in some cases.
The invasion of elephants has led to food insecurity and increased tension in the area. People have resorted to stealing food. “Last season, we lost everything because elephants would come in herds of 30 to 50,” says Ephraim Tumwebaze, the Chairperson of LCI Nyakarongo village in Kiruli Subcounty, adding that this has also escalated poaching.
Tumwebaze further explains that the elephants bring with them black flies, which are dangerous to the people, and that they can no longer rear pigs due to these flies.
The locals are urging the government to urgently install an electric fence around the villages adjacent to the park to deter elephants from destroying their crops.
According to Paul Mugabi, a resident of Nyakarongo village, women are the most affected by the persistent elephant invasions. “We rely on farming for our income, but currently, we are harvesting nothing because of the elephants. Even supporting our families is becoming a challenge. An immediate solution must be found, or we will face a miserable fate,” he added.
Mugabi also stated that there is a need for the government to compensate the locals for the crops destroyed and lives lost. “We also want to be compensated for the losses we have incurred. We have lost lives while trying to drive the elephants away from our gardens. Whenever we report property or life losses to the relevant authorities, we are met with silence. For how long will we continue suffering?” Mugabi asked.
Wilson Mugenyi, a resident of Kiruli village, explained that although they engage in farming, it feels as though their efforts are in vain, as they are being threatened by hunger.
Eddy Aguuda, the LCIII Chairperson of Kiruli Subcounty, stated that due to the increasing elephant invasions, most residents no longer sleep at night because they have to guard their crop gardens against the elephants. Aguuda told this reporter that the elephant invasion has also affected education in the area, with some parents preventing their children from going to school for fear that they may be killed by the massive mammals roaming the villages.
“At Nyakarongo Primary School, enrolment has dropped from 800 to 400 pupils because parents are afraid for their children’s lives. Some parents also can no longer afford to send their children to school due to financial constraints. As subcounty authorities, we have written to the relevant authorities in vain. People’s lives are at stake, as we no longer sleep in our homes. We are growing crops but reaping nothing,” said Aguuda.
Geoffrey Kiiza Bigabwa, the District Councillor representing Kiruli Subcounty, said the government promised to address the issue of elephant invasions in 2021, but nothing has been done. “The minister visited the area and promised us an electric fence, but up to now, nothing has materialised, and people’s lives are at risk,” said Bigabwa.
When contacted by this reporter, Edison Nuwamanya, the Chief Warden of Murchison Falls National Park, promised to dig a trench to prevent elephants from crossing into the villages, as has been done in the neighbouring Kiryandongo District.
“Now, all elephants come to Masindi because they can no longer cross into Kiryandongo. I will also ensure that my rangers are deployed here 24 hours a day, not just for occasional visits,” he said.
On his part, Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi District LCV Chairperson, acknowledged the danger posed by the stray elephants but assured that the government would soon provide a solution to control the animals.
“We have written to the relevant authorities regarding a solution. My hope is that the government acts swiftly, as people’s lives are in danger. Some are struggling with bank loans, and crime rates are rising due to the destruction of people’s farms by elephants,” said Byaruhanga.
Byaruhanga also suggested that the District Local Government should use the shared tourism revenue disbursed to the district by the Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA] to construct a trench, although this revenue is intended to enhance local communities’ livelihoods.
https://thecooperator.news/farmers-decry-continued-invasion-of-elephants-from-kibale-national-park/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 0
