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Citizen Posts
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A 23-year-old man has been killed and four other people injured in separate buffalo attacks in districts neighbouring the Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, prompting calls for urgent intervention by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The deceased, identified as Isaac Malinga, a resident of Ongogonja in Katakwi District, was attacked on Sunday while grazing near his home, according to local authorities. The attacks have been reported in Katakwi, Kapelebyong, Napak and Kween districts over two days, raising concerns about the increasing movement of wild animals into community settlements.
Rose Amuge, a resident of Oburi Akiteng in Amero Parish, Acowa Sub-county, Kapelebyong District, is among the injured. She is receiving treatment at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, while the other victims from Napak and Kween are being treated at health facilities in their respective areas.
Tiyan Mark, a conservation education assistant at Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, confirmed the incidents and urged residents to avoid provoking buffaloes, particularly animals found alone, which he said could be especially dangerous. Mark attributed the movement of wildlife into communities to unpredictable weather patterns and prolonged dry conditions that have reduced water supplies inside the protected area.
“Inside the protected area conservation park, the dams inside the game reserve—the dams have dried,” Mark said. He added that other animals, including elands and antelopes, had also strayed into community land in search of water.
Mark cautioned residents against chasing buffaloes, following them or making noise to scare them away. Instead, he advised communities to alert local leaders and UWA officials so that wildlife officers could respond.
Katakwi District LC V Chairperson Geoffrey Omolo also urged residents to remain vigilant as the animals continued to move into populated areas.
Omolo called on UWA to prioritise community sensitisation and address concerns surrounding compensation for victims of wildlife attacks.
Meanwhile, relatives of Malinga called on the government and UWA to ensure that families affected by wildlife attacks receive appropriate compensation.
One of the deceased’s grieving relatives said Malinga had left behind a widow and two young children, aged three months and four years, who now face an uncertain future without their breadwinner.
The family appealed for support to help the dependents cope with the loss and meet their basic needs.
Residents have also called for urgent intervention to drive the buffaloes back into protected areas, warning that their continued presence in villages poses a serious threat to human life.
UWA has indicated that it will conduct community sensitization through radio programmes to raise awareness about wildlife safety and the precautions residents should take when they encounter dangerous animals.
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