Nwoya, Uganda: Two people have been killed by stray elephants in Koch Lii Sub-county within one week, intensifying fear and anger among communities bordering Murchison Falls National Park as government moves to contain a worsening human-wildlife conflict in Nwoya District.
The latest victim, Uma David, 31, was trampled to death at around 3:00 am on Thursday while guarding his garden in Kwece Village, Langele Parish. His death came just days after Obua Moses, 27, was also killed on Tuesday night under similar circumstances while protecting crops from marauding elephants.
Relatives said Uma had spent the morning tending the garden with his elder brother Aliker Tonny, 34, before returning home. Later that evening, he went to the trading centre to meet friends and never returned.
“We were together that morning,” Aliker said. “Only to hear later in the night that my brother had been killed by elephants.”
Uma leaves behind three children and a pregnant wife.
His mother, Laruni Bicentina, 76, described him as hardworking and cheerful. “I don’t think I will ever get another son like him,” she said through tears.
Residents say elephant invasions have turned nightly crop protection into a life-threatening task.
“We have nothing to live on. Our crops are destroyed. There is no food,” said Bernard Ogwal Lakwete, a resident of Kwece Village.
The LC III Chairperson of Koch Lii Sub-county, Odong Justice Ajaji, confirmed the escalating crisis, saying communities are overwhelmed and rangers overstretched.
“Men no longer sleep in their houses. They spend nights guarding gardens,” Ajaji said, calling for more rangers, fast-tracking of the electric fence and prompt compensation for victims.
Political leaders also weighed in. Christine Lanyero Awany, an aspirant for Nwoya Woman MP, faulted the Office of the Prime Minister over delayed relief food. “These issues should not only be addressed when people die,” she said.
Following rising tensions, Resident District Commissioner Omora Christopher toured the affected area and revealed that President Yoweri Museveni had directed NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong and the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to urgently engage the community.
Omora attributed the invasions to the dry season and encroachment on wildlife corridors, urging residents to remain cautious while calling on the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to intensify sensitisation.
A high-level meeting involving the NRM Secretary General later calmed the community, with government announcing immediate measures, including fast-tracking the electric fence with an additional 10 kilometres, deployment of UPDF to support UWA rangers, provision of relief food, clearance of community loan burdens caused by crop destruction, establishment of a UWA desk at sub-county level, recruitment of more wildlife wardens, and use of wildlife revenue to support affected households.
Government also announced Shs2 million compensation for each family that lost a life and Shs1 million for those injured.
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