RUBIRIZI – Communities bordering protected wildlife zones in Rubirizi District have protested the persistent destruction of their crops and livestock by stray wild animals, citing delayed compensation and an inadequate response from authorities.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development follows a disruption affecting over 450 families from six villages within the sub-counties of Kicwamba and Kirugu, who are currently stranded and facing poverty and hunger after baboons and monkeys ravaged their gardens.
The affected villages include Busonga 2A, Busonga 2B, Bugaya 1, Bugaya 2, Busonga Nkyiro in Nyakashozi Parish (Kicwamba Sub-county), and Kabarenje Village in Kirugu Sub-county.
Roseet Katusiime, Women’s Chairperson for Busonga Village, stated that stray wild animals have destroyed staple food crops, including beans, maize, bananas, millet, and Irish potatoes, while also killing and injuring livestock, leaving many families living in constant fear.
She added that women in the area say the primates aggressively attack and even attempt to grab them as they tend to gardens, collect firewood, or graze animals, a danger that has forced many to abandon farm work altogether.
Frolance Kemigisha and Katusime Jackline, among the affected victims, have appealed to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to intervene and compensate them, arguing that poverty and hunger have worsened since they lost their sources of food and income.
They further lament that their children’s education is now at risk, as many families are struggling to pay school fees and provide basic needs, with livelihoods completely shattered by the relentless wildlife raids.
The Chairperson of Kahiito Farmers Association, Tibakyenga Hilary, said farmers took loans from banks and used PDM money to invest in their farms, but animals have now destroyed everything.
He noted that poverty has hit the area harder than before, as baboons and monkeys have persistently destroyed people’s gardens, leaving residents facing hunger and hardship with no food to eat or money to pay school fees.
“We took loans and PDM money to invest in our farms, but baboons and monkeys have destroyed it all, leaving families with no food and no income. Poverty has hit us harder; many children are now out of school because we cannot pay their fees. We urgently need government intervention in this crisis,” said Hilary.
Kicwamba Sub-county LC3 Chairperson Brodes Kazoora has moved to calm angry farmers, appealing to them to abandon demonstrations and refrain from vigilante justice, choosing dialogue over destruction.
Kazoora assured residents that local leaders are diligently pursuing their grievances through official channels and will take their complaints to the highest authorities, while demanding that UWA intervene as farmers’ losses soar.
“I know the pain is unbearable, and your anger is justified. But please, put down your weapons of protest and trust us as your leaders. We are following up on your grievances through official channels and will escalate them to the highest authorities,” Kazoora stated.
The Chairperson also commended the community for their restraint and peaceful conduct and urged patience, reaffirming that both the government and leaders are fully committed to securing timely compensation for every affected household.
The Vermin Guard Officer for Rubirizi, Kennedy Emmanuel, who is in charge of wild animals, advised residents to take protective measures: set traps, employ guards, keep dogs to protect livestock and crops, and fence gardens to prevent wildlife entry.
He stated that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is committed to pushing for permanent solutions to human-wildlife conflict, urging residents to stay calm while also taking measures to protect their property.
Rubirizi District is largely surrounded by conservation areas, with Queen Elizabeth National Park covering the western part and Kyambura Wildlife Reserve stretching across the northern part of the district.
The district also borders Kasyoha-Kitomi Central Forest Reserve in the northeast and Maramagambo and Kalinzu Central Forest Reserves in the southeast, supporting both savanna and tropical high forest habitats.
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