By KT Reporter
Families in Buliisa District whose garden crops have been destroyed by stray elephants and buffalo are demanding food relief from the government. Since 2018, wild animals, particularly elephants, have caused widespread destruction of crops, leaving many families without food.
Residents, especially those living near Murchison Falls National Park, say they are on the verge of starvation as they can no longer cultivate their gardens due to the constant attacks from the elephants. They report that several hectares of cassava, maize, beans, sweet potatoes, jackfruit, pawpaw, and bananas have been destroyed by the wild animals over the years. In addition to crop destruction, the animals pose a significant threat to human life.
The most affected sub-counties include Butiaba, Buliisa Ngwedu, Biiso, and Buliisa Town Council, which share a common border with the park. The residents are now calling on the government to provide relief food to help them survive. Julius Tibamanya, a resident of Kigoya village in Buliisa Sub-County, explains that some families can hardly afford a meal a day after their crops were destroyed by the stray elephants.
He urges the government to consider allocating food relief to these affected communities. Muhereza Bajenja, a resident of Kataleba village, one of the areas frequently invaded by wild animals, adds that many children have dropped out of school due to a lack of food, a consequence of the destruction caused by elephants.
Kabagambe Kamanda, the LC3 Chairperson for Buliisa Sub-County, describes the situation as dire, noting that residents are on the brink of starvation because they have nothing to eat due to the persistent destruction of their crops by elephants. He says some residents are afraid to even tend to their gardens because of the frequent elephant attacks.
Jackline Akumu, a resident of Ajiigo in Ngwedu Sub-County, also explains that wild animals like elephants and buffalo have been raiding their farms, causing famine for many families. Fred Lukumu, the LC5 Chairperson of Buliisa District, states that most villages bordering Murchison Falls National Park are facing food insecurity.
He calls on the government to take immediate action to alleviate the situation. He also urges the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to establish more detachments in the area to respond quickly to attacks by stray animals.
Residents living near Murchison Falls National Park have long been vocal about the frequent invasions by wild animals, which have led to fatalities and widespread crop destruction. In February 2025, a tragic incident occurred when 53-year-old Eunice Kutegeka of Kigoya village was killed by an elephant while collecting firewood near her home.
Her four-year-old grandson, Robert Niwagaba, was critically injured in the attack and was rushed to Buliisa General Hospital for treatment. In July 2024, farmers in Buliisa Sub-County staged a protest at the sub-county headquarters, demanding compensation for the crops lost, injuries sustained, and lives lost due to wild animal attacks. Since 2022, at least 18 people have been killed and many others injured by elephants and buffaloes in Buliisa District alone.
In August 2022, over 1,000 residents from more than 20 villages neighboring the park, including Butiaba, Buliisa, Ngwedu, Biiso, and Buliisa Town Council, petitioned UWA for urgent intervention. They reported massive destruction of cassava, maize, beans, sweet potatoes, and bananas by wild animals. The petitioners called for UWA to construct an electric fence around Murchison Falls National Park to prevent further invasions and to compensate residents for lost crops and injuries caused by the animals.
The electric fence initiative is a significant step in addressing long-standing human-wildlife conflicts. However, community leaders stress that the process must be completed swiftly to prevent further loss of life and livelihoods. UWA has assured residents that the installation of the fence will continue as planned, with additional security measures being explored to protect both people and wildlife.
In March 2025, UWA announced that 71 kilometers of electric fencing had been installed around Murchison Falls National Park to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the districts of Nwoya, Masindi, Buliisa, and Kiryandongo, which have been particularly affected by frequent invasions of wild animals.
According to UWA, 46.5 kilometers of fencing have been completed in Nwoya, 10 kilometers in Buliisa, with 22 kilometers still pending installation in the same district. Masindi will have 10 kilometers fenced, while Kiryandongo has been allocated 28 kilometers. This initiative aims to prevent wildlife from straying into human settlements where they pose a threat to lives and livelihoods.
The electric fence will also help address growing human-wildlife conflicts that have caused fatalities, destruction of property, and economic hardships, especially in Buliisa District. The project aims to protect both communities and wildlife, particularly Uganda’s iconic lion population. By establishing clear boundaries, UWA hopes to foster peaceful coexistence between humans and animals while preserving biodiversity.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to mitigate conflict risks and protect Uganda’s rich biodiversity. The fence is expected to reduce the frequency of human-wildlife encounters, safeguard wildlife populations, and support the livelihoods of communities living near the park-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
