By Baluku Alex
A section of farmers in Nyamwamba Division of Kasese Municipality is counting losses following the invasion of stray elephants from the Queen Elizabeth National Park into their crop gardens.
Last night, the elephants escaped from the Queen Elizabeth National Park and destroyed the farmers’ crop gardens in the areas of Butsumba, Kihara road in Rukooki ward.
Residents from the affected areas close to the national park said they have been left helpless as hunger looms.
Several complaints have reportedly been made to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) which is yet to respond to their grievances.
Speaking to Rwenzori Daily, the Local Council I Chairperson for Butsumba Village, Justus Sunday said that the elephants have continuously been straying into the farmers’ crop gardens for more than a month.
Deborah Agaba, a farmer in Butsumba said the only crops that had survived the long dry spell have also been destroyed by the stray elephants.
Wilson Ntama, the Municipal Councilor representing Saluti A and B elective area in Kanyangeya ward whose tomato garden in Butsumba has also invaded by the elephants regretted the loss and appealed to the government to expedite the process of erecting an electric wire along the park boundaries in Kyondo and Kanyangeya areas.
