The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Another person has been killed by a stray elephant in Kasese district. The victim identified as Osbert Nuwamanya, a resident of Bigando village, Kitswamba sub county, becomes the fifth person to be killed by an elephant in a space of two years.
Nuwamanya was attacked by a herd of elephants at around 10pm as he and his friend attempted to chase them from their gardens. The herd had reportedly escaped from Kibaale National Park.
According to Obed Turyasingura, who survived the same attack, one of the elephants charged at them and eventually caught up with Nuwamanya as they attempted to flee. It ran over him several times leaving him dead.
Turyasingura appeals to the government to extend more ranger posts and electric fences in the area to safeguard farmers and the community from constant wildlife attacks.
The area councillor representing Rugendabara parish to the sub-county, Bridget Mure said the elephants have become a huge problem, especially with the onset of the dry spell. She also asks the government to expedite the compensation clause in the UWA Act to enable such affected families to be compensated.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority communications officer, Bashir Hangi says UWA is trying hard to put up measures of preventing human-wildlife conflict. He adds that once the compensation clause is enacted into the new law, affected persons would well be better catered for.
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