Sigh of relief as UWA resumes fencing of Murchison Falls Park in Buliisa
The fence, which is solar-powered, runs from River Nile to River Waiga and is designed to keep wildlife from straying into human settlements.
Buliisa: Communities neighboring Murchison Falls National Park in Buliisa District are breathing a sigh of relief following the resumption of electric fence installation by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The project, aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict, is being welcomed after years of residents grappling with crop destruction and threats to human life caused by roaming wild animals.
Charles Ukumu, the LC1 Chairperson of Waiga Village in Bugana Parish, Buliisa Sub-county, expressed excitement over the development. He noted that the fence would allow families to cultivate their land in peace and enable children to attend school without fear of wildlife encounters.
According to Wilson Kagoro, Warden for Community Conservation at Murchison Falls National Park, 16 out of the planned 32 kilometers of fencing have so far been completed.
This includes 10 kilometers from the River Nile to Pundiga Village and 6 kilometers stretching from the Waiga River towards Bugana.
The fence, which is solar-powered, runs from River Nile to River Waiga and is designed to keep wildlife from straying into human settlements.
Kagoro expressed optimism that the entire project will be completed by the end of the year. He emphasized the importance of the fence in protecting both human lives and livelihoods, and appealed to the local community to safeguard the infrastructure against vandalism.
Buliisa District has seen an increase in elephant attacks, with several fatal incidents recorded.
On February 9, 2025, a herd of elephants trampled 51-year-old Kutegeka Eunice Kyabadiri Nyajangi to death in Kigoya Village while she was collecting firewood. Her four-year-old grandson survived with serious injuries.
In February 2024, the decomposing body of Benon Mpairwe, a herdsman, was discovered after an elephant killed him in Waiga Village, Bugana Parish.
In March 2024, a Bridget Katulinde, 28, was killed by elephants while trying to chase them away from her garden in Kichooke Village.
In September 2024, a boda boda rider, Dancan, narrowly survived an elephant attack in Bugana-Kichooke Village, though his motorcycle was destroyed.
In May 2024, elephants ravaged the farm of Terego Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Godwin Angalia Kasigwa, causing losses worth UGX 2 million.
In October 2023, UWA announced plans to install 30 kilometers of low-voltage electric fencing around human-wildlife conflict hotspots, costing UGX 50 million per kilometer. However, delays in implementation have angered residents.
During the commissioning of Butiaba Health Centre III in April 2024, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja promised to fast-track the fencing after complaints from locals. UWA Executive Director Sam Mwandha pledged to complete the fence within three months, yet the project remains incomplete.
UWA has since stated that it is deploying additional personnel and scouts in elephant-prone areas while working on erecting the fence.
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