The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has stepped up efforts to address growing human-wildlife conflict in Kiruhura District following reports of buffaloes straying into community land and destroying crops.
On July 29, UWA officials held a community engagement meeting in Minekye Village, Sanga Sub-county, bringing together local leaders and residents to discuss solutions to recurring wildlife-related challenges affecting households living near protected areas.
The meeting was prompted by recent incidents in which buffaloes entered farmland and damaged crops, particularly banana plantations, leaving many farmers counting losses and calling for urgent government intervention.
During the discussions, residents raised concerns about delays in the wildlife compensation process, with some alleging that district agricultural officers demand facilitation fees before assessing damaged crops. Community members said the costs involved often prevent affected families from pursuing compensation claims, leading many to lose confidence in the system.
The UWA delegation was led by Chief Warden Fred Wanyama and included Assistant Commissioner for Human-Wildlife Conflict Geoffrey Mwedde and Senior Human-Wildlife Conflict Officer Sharon Kamuganga.
Officials used the meeting to explain how the wildlife compensation framework operates, outlining the procedures used to verify claims and determine eligibility for compensation.
UWA also briefed residents on measures already being implemented to reduce future incursions by wildlife. These include the excavation of a trench along vulnerable sections of the protected area boundary and plans to construct an electric fence aimed at preventing buffaloes from crossing into community land.
Residents welcomed the engagement, saying it provided an opportunity for their concerns to be heard directly by UWA officials. Many expressed optimism that the ongoing interventions would help reduce crop destruction and improve relations between communities and wildlife authorities.
Following the meeting, UWA officials joined local leaders on a field visit to inspect sections of the trench under construction and assess gardens that had recently been damaged by buffaloes.
According to UWA, the visit underscored the authority’s commitment to working closely with neighboring communities to safeguard livelihoods while promoting the conservation of Uganda’s wildlife resources.
The meeting attracted several local leaders, including the LC I Chairperson of Minekye Village, the NRM Chairperson, the LC III Chairperson of Sanga Sub-county, the area councilor representing Sanga Sub-county, the Chairperson of the Nshara Community Collaborative Committee, and other community representatives.
