Uganda has one of the highest densities of lions in the World, however being wild animals they also pose a threat to humans and livestock. There have been several incidences of lions and livestock as well as human conflicts. There have been increase attacks on humans especially by elephants of later. African safaris
However, residents of Kayanja village in Kitswamba sub-county, Kasese district have expressed concern over the continued killing of their animals by lions from Kibaale National Park.
Over 30 cows in the area belonging to 13 families were reportedly killed by the lions from October to date.
John Makobo, a conservation directoor at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) said a team sent by UWA had been on the ground but did not see any carcasses of the cattle or lion tracks. Where to see the wildebeest migration
“Why is it that the herdsmen never take us where the carcasses are and instead keep on accusing us in the press? We strongly believe that those are false accusations meant to tarnish UWA’s image,” Makobo said.
“It is true that sometimes lions stray out of the park and maul cattle, but in many cases herdsmen graze their animals in the park and the lions go after the cattle,” he said.
Over the weekend, Moses Rukwago Isagara of the Basongora Group for Justice Human Rights accused park authorities of ignoring their complaints. Where to see mountain gorillas in the wild of Africa
Rukwago said at least three families had fled their homes and taken refugee under trees near Hima town council in fear of the lions. He said children had abandoned school and cultivators in the area missed the second weeding season; causing financial loss after information circulated that lions were hiding in their neighbourhood. African lion safari
Rukwago said following the incident, the officer in charge of Kayanja ranger post, Sgt. Wilson Onongi, visited the affected areas and promised to forward the matter to higher authorities.
He also told journalists that the pastoralists in the area had never had problems with Kibaale National Park but the current incident had raised concern among the locals.
“Since 1994 when Kibaale was designated a national park, we have been living in harmony, but the current situation is predicting something else. If this continues, residents might resort to killing the wild animals, like people around Queen Elizabeth National Park did” Rukwago said.
However, residents of Kayanja village in Kitswamba sub-county, Kasese district have expressed concern over the continued killing of their animals by lions from Kibaale National Park.
Over 30 cows in the area belonging to 13 families were reportedly killed by the lions from October to date.
John Makobo, a conservation directoor at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) said a team sent by UWA had been on the ground but did not see any carcasses of the cattle or lion tracks. Where to see the wildebeest migration
“Why is it that the herdsmen never take us where the carcasses are and instead keep on accusing us in the press? We strongly believe that those are false accusations meant to tarnish UWA’s image,” Makobo said.
“It is true that sometimes lions stray out of the park and maul cattle, but in many cases herdsmen graze their animals in the park and the lions go after the cattle,” he said.
Over the weekend, Moses Rukwago Isagara of the Basongora Group for Justice Human Rights accused park authorities of ignoring their complaints. Where to see mountain gorillas in the wild of Africa
Rukwago said at least three families had fled their homes and taken refugee under trees near Hima town council in fear of the lions. He said children had abandoned school and cultivators in the area missed the second weeding season; causing financial loss after information circulated that lions were hiding in their neighbourhood. African lion safari
Rukwago said following the incident, the officer in charge of Kayanja ranger post, Sgt. Wilson Onongi, visited the affected areas and promised to forward the matter to higher authorities.
He also told journalists that the pastoralists in the area had never had problems with Kibaale National Park but the current incident had raised concern among the locals.
“Since 1994 when Kibaale was designated a national park, we have been living in harmony, but the current situation is predicting something else. If this continues, residents might resort to killing the wild animals, like people around Queen Elizabeth National Park did” Rukwago said.
