By Admin
Over 500 farmers in the districts of Karenga and Kaabong whose crops were destroyed by stray elephants and buffalos are crying foul over delayed compensation.
In December 2024, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, while addressing the media at State Lodge in Morulinga Village, Napak District, promised that the government would compensate farmers for destroyed crops and install electric fences around protected areas to prevent further wildlife incursions.
However, months later, farmers lament that the situation has worsened, with no tangible progress made on the promise to compensate them and mitigate continued intrusions of elephants and buffalos.
Robert Okello, a farmer in Lobongia Sub County, said that out of 563 affected farmers, only one was contacted to open and account but since then no money has been deposited to his account.
Rose Lydia Achayo, lamented that the wild animals such as elephants and buffalos have colonized their gardens and they can no longer produce food to sustain their families.
She noted that they are currently experiencing food insecurity and their children have dropped out of school due to lack of money.
Peter Abach, the Karenga sub-county LC III chairperson said that the elephants and Buffalos have left a huge trail of destruction, adding that families in Karenga missed out harvest in the previous season.
“People of Karenga had planted crops expecting a good harvest this year but am telling you the elephants finished all the crops in the gardens and this is dangerous for the families,” he said.
Richard Muhabwe, the Chief Warden Kidepo National Game Park admitted the ongoing challenges and said the government is working on a permanent solution.
“It’s true that wild animals have been invading people’s gardens during harvest, destroying everything. The government has taken note and is in the process of compensating the affected farmers,” he said.
Muhabwe stated that compensation is being rolled out in phases, and the electric fence project will begin once funds are released.
“In the last financial year, funds were earmarked for the fencing project. The project will start as soon as everything is ready,” he said, urging farmers to remain patient.
ALSO READ
- https://radioetoil.com/https-radioetoil-com-installation-of-electric-fence-around-kidepo-valley-national-game-park-to-start-in-august/
- https://radioetoil.com/stray-elephant-kills-71-year-old-woman-in-kaabong/
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