Leaders and residents of Bunyaruguru County, Rubirizi District have welcomed the installation of an electric fence to protect neighboring communities from wild animals in the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The 14.5km electric fence will cover six villages of Kyambura, Kicwamba, Kataara, Ahamukungu, Mukoroboozi and Omukakoni in the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve.

“I have spent the last 30 years sleeping outside while tending my gardens so they are not destroyed by animals. We hope this will help us have food in our homes and also money in our pockets. pockets,” said Umaru Ssendagire, a resident of Kataara village. .

Local leaders say there have been repeated incidents where wild animals escaped their heavy losses.

“People deserted most of these villages and sold their land cheaply because of the animals, especially elephants and chimpanzees,” Ssendagire noted.

Another villager from Bunyaruguru County, identifying herself as Annah Nayebare, said: “We can now stay in peace with our families as we will enjoy our conjugal rights as husbands will not sleep outside to look after the animals. »

UWA Director Posiano Eguma revealed that they have similar solar electric fences covering 10km in Kyenzaza, 19km in Kasese District, 61km in Kanungu District and 25km in Kitagwenda District .

Construction of similar fences in Rukungiri and Mitooma districts is underway, he said.

“It is the responsibility of UWA and the Ugandan government to ensure that animals do not destroy people’s property. This boundary separates land designated for national parks and communities,” he explained.

The fence is also expected to curb poaching which is rampant in remote areas of Uganda.

Bunyaruguru County lawmaker Eng John Twesigye Ntamuhira said they would now focus on compensating residents whose properties were devastated by wild game.

“I have contacted UWA several times, but they keep telling me that they are working on it. Working on it is not enough. We want implementation,” he added.

When asked to comment on the lawmaker’s remarks, UWA communications manager Bashir Hangi said: “It’s absolutely true that we are delaying, but you know we want the system to work properly .”

“We don’t want any mistakes, but we are managing and when we start the exercise, be as quick as possible,” he said. Monitor.

Rubirizi Resident District (DRC) Commissioner Bron Kikanshemeza has revealed that efforts to rid the area of ​​poachers are winning.

“We have reformed poachers in our communities because we have a lot of awareness. I will continue to put pressure on the government and non-governmental organizations to lend a helping hand to these people who have deliberately stopped poaching to have a better life,” he said on Saturday.

The solar-powered electric fence project was launched in 2018 by former Minister of Tourism, Professor Ephrahim Kamuntu, following President Museveni’s promise to residents of Rubirizi and Kasese districts during the 2011 election campaigns.