ELEPHANTS INVADE FOOTBALL PITCH, KILL 12-YEAR-OLD BOY IN NWOYA

 By Mike Rwothomio

Zombo
 
Jeremy Mungutimu, 12, a resident of Kibira Village, Kibira Parish, Got Apwoyo Sub-County, Nwoya District has been trampled to death by a herd of elephants.
 
The alarming incident happened at around 6:40 Pm on August 25, 2024 sending a shock wave of fear amongst the community, who for years has been under constant attack by the many menacing wild beasts from Murchison falls National Park.
 
A herd of elephants of about 19 in numbers upon invading a football pitch, became agitated and aggressive, after a crowd watching football match in the village attempted to chase them away.
 
As the matriarch charged at the crowd, the child fell on the ground and got trampled on to death by the animals, said the LC 1 chairperson of Kibira Village, David Kisa.
 
"We were watching local football match then about 19 elephants invaded the pitch, when crowd attempted to chase them away, they became uncontrolled and started chasing people, as everyone was running away, the child fell on the ground the animals trampled on him to death, we have his body in my home here" Kisa said in an interview on Monday morning
 
The deceased is a resident of Aluka village, Pamitu Parish, Abanga Sub County, Zombo District and was staying with his mother in the area.
 
Explaining the incident with irregular breathing, the deceased’s' father Gilbert Wanican, a resident of Aluka village Pamitu Parish Abanga Sub county said " I received the news of the passing away of my son with a big shock, he went to stay with his mother in Nwoya and I never expected this news, so hard that I have lost him just like that".

Local leaders and residents say Authorities from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) have been notified and were to visit the crime scene. By press time, getting comments from UWA proved futile.
 
Most National parks are unfenced in Uganda, and with more animals living outside the reserves, human- wildlife conflict that results in injury or deaths are so rife. 
 
In a bid to address the situation, Uganda Wild life Authority has been over the years involved in strengthening the intelligence in and outside protected areas, intensifying vehicle and foot patrols, engaging district and community leaders and intensifying community sensitization.
 
In case of injuries, deaths and loss of properties orchestrated by wild animals in and outside protected areas, Uganda Wild life Compensation Regulation scheme of 2022 provides for its financing.
 
The case should be reported within 72 hours as investigation is done just within 12 hours. Apparently, government is making attempts to fence around the game parks.
 
Early this year, an official from Uganda Wild life Authority said that government plans to fence 61 km in 2024/25 fiscal year and this will be done in phases.
 
So far, over 40 km of fence are already installed around Murchison falls national game park with Nwoya having 29 km installed and Oyam 15 km.