Kiryandongo farmers cry out for relief amidst escalating human-wildlife conflict
“If nothing is done soon, hunger will strike the entire village,” he warned.
Kiryandongo: Farmers in Bunyama village in Kiryandongo district bordering Murchison Falls National Park, are reeling from the devastation caused by repeated elephant invasions, which continue to decimate crops and threaten their livelihoods.
Over the weekend, more than 10 acres of maize and banana plantations were destroyed in a single night, marking yet another blow in a conflict that has persisted for eight farming seasons.
The situation has sparked urgent calls for government intervention and the implementation of promised mitigation measures.
Jacklyn Awori, a local farmer, recounted her recent loss, saying she had expected to harvest 40 bags of maize but managed only 20 kilograms after the elephants stormed her fields.
“This is not the first time. Every season we cry, and no one listens,” Awori lamented. “We were promised an electric fence back in 2021, but nothing has happened.”
Godfrey Kisembo, another affected farmer, expressed frustration over what he described as abandonment by both local leaders and wildlife authorities.
“We’ve cried for help, but no one responds. We feel helpless. The Uganda Wildlife Authority gave 79 million shillings to Kyankende Sub-county through their social responsibility fund, but it hasn’t solved the problem,” Kisembo said.
Chelsea Tumwesigye added that the impact of these wildlife incursions extends beyond immediate crop loss, warning of long-term effects on education, food security, and poverty levels.
“We depend entirely on farming. When crops are destroyed, it means no school fees, no food, and an uncertain future,” Tumwesigye said.
Bunyama LC1 Chairperson, David Ogwang, confirmed the scale of the destruction and urged the district authorities and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to take swift action.
“If nothing is done soon, hunger will strike the entire village,” Ogwang warned.
Nelson Osaga, LC3 Chairperson of Kyankende Sub-county, acknowledged the persistent challenges posed by elephants and confirmed that local leaders had submitted appeals for the government to fence off the park, particularly in high-risk areas.
“It’s very unfortunate. We’ve tried our best, but without proper fencing and support from UWA, we cannot keep the elephants away,” Osaga said.
The farmers now await concrete action from the authorities, fearing that continued inaction could lead to a full-blown humanitarian crisis in the area.
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