Delayed electric fencing off Murchison Falls National Park irks Buliisa residents
These animals have also devoured crop gardens, leading to food insecurity and starvation in the district.
Buliisa: The delayed electric fencing of Murchison Falls National Park has caused frustration among the residents and escalated the human-wildlife conflict in Buliisa District.
Last year, in October, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) announced plans to install 30 kilometers of low-voltage electric fencing in major human-wildlife conflict hotspots within the park. Each kilometer was estimated to cost 50 million shillings.
The fence was intended for areas where trenches are prone to siltation due to flash floods, gully erosion, and elephant activities. However, the actual installation process has delayed to be completed.
For over a decade, wild animals, especially elephants, rhinoceroses, primates, and buffalos have attacked and killed dozens of residents living near the park.
These animals have also devoured crop gardens, leading to food insecurity and starvation in the district.
During the commissioning of Butiaba Health Centre III in Buliisa district, residents asked the prime minister to intervene in the matter.
In response to these concerns, Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister of Uganda, directly addressed Sam Mwandha, the UWA Executive Director, demanding an explanation for the delay in rectifying the electric fence along the park’s borders.
Nabbanja emphasized her frustration with repeatedly answering questions about the delayed fencing both in parliament and during public functions.
In turn, Mwandha assured the people of Buliisa district that the erection of the electric fence would be completed within a three-month period.
He said the ongoing efforts include deploying necessary forces and scouts to elephant-prone areas, in addition to the fence erection.
Last year, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) initiated the erection of an electric fence in Ngwedo Sub County. However, Fred Lukumu, the Buliisa District LCV Chairman, has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work.
He emphasizes that lives are at stake and property is being devastated.
According to district authorities, five people have lost their lives due to encounters with stray elephants, and acres of gardens have been laid to waste.
‘’The situation is dire, and the district is on the brink of a hunger outbreak. Many crops have been repeatedly destroyed by these wandering elephants.’’
Lukumu stressed that some residents have even turned to cash crop cultivation as a desperate measure, but this poses a threat to food security in the area.
‘’The urgency of completing the electric fence cannot be overstated. It is essential to protect both human lives and livelihoods while ensuring the coexistence of communities and wildlife.’’
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