Stray elephants destroy gardens in Kitgum

Kitgum: Over 100 stray elephants are estimated to have invaded the Chua East Sub-Counties of Orom, Kiteny, Namokora North, Namokora, Namokora Town Council, and Orom East again, despite numerous pleas to the authorities of Kidepo Valley Game Reserves.

This revelation was made by Kiteny Subcounty Area Councillor V, Hon. Komakech Ronald, to this publication on Monday, June 24, 2024.

According to Komakech, over 100 stray elephants have invaded the villages of Paloba, Lokoropwac, Ladotonen, Latodore, and Giligili, among others, in Kiteny Subcounty and other neighboring subcounties.

He added that they have destroyed people’s gardens over the past two weeks. ‘’These stray elephants are suspected to have relocated from Kidepo Valley Game Reserves, and the number is expected to increase since they move in families.’’

The Namokora Subcounty Area Councillor V, Hon. Olweny Charles Oryem, stressed that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has long ignored the pleas of affected communities, despite the limited support from the government to help the victims of these invasions.

He added that while the UWA has deployed some rangers in certain parishes, their efforts are yielding minimal results against the elephant invasions. He also mentioned that the security deployed is insufficient given the overwhelming number of stray elephants.

Olweny called for an increase in the quantity of food relief sent by the Office of the Prime Minister to the affected households in Chua East Subcounties.

We couldn’t get a comment from the UWA spokesperson, Bashir Hangi, by the time of publication since his known number was unavailable.

In May this year, the leaders in Kitgum District petitioned President Museveni for a sustainable solution to the destruction caused by marauding elephants in the area.

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