Kasese, Uganda: Fear has gripped communities near the Mubuku Irrigation Scheme after six lions escaped from Queen Elizabeth National Park and killed three cows, forcing residents in Kasese District to abandon gardens and confine themselves indoors.
The lions, which invaded the area in the early hours of September 26, are suspected to be hiding in nearby bushes, heightening tension among locals who now avoid farms and grazing grounds.
“We depend on our gardens for food, but we are even afraid to check on our crops because the lions are still around. Unless they are taken back to the park, we are not safe,” said one James Masereka, a farmer in the affected area.
Eyewitness Abdul Tushabomwe recounted the terrifying scene: “At first, we heard a strange roar. When I peeped through the window, I saw lions attacking cows in their kraal. I could not risk stepping out; I only watched helplessly as they killed them.”
But the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Spokesperson, Mr Bashir Hangi, said it has deployed rangers to chase the lions back to the park or ensure they return safely, and that the authority has already paid Shs3.5 million to affected residents as a gesture of compassion while guiding them on how to lodge formal compensation claims.
However, residents like 60-year-old Rusanganwa, who lost cows in the attack, insist that the government must do more: “I was depending on my animals for milk and income. Now they are gone. Tourism earns the government money, but it is we who suffer. Let the government compensate us so that we can survive.”
Police have cautioned residents to remain vigilant, particularly in the mornings and evenings, when the risk of attacks is highest.
Rwenzori East Police spokesperson SP Nelson Tumushime urged parents to escort children to school and warned against moving alone in isolated areas: “Someone walking alone can easily become prey to lions.”
The Uganda Wildlife Authority and security forces continue to monitor the situation, urging residents to report any sightings immediately.
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