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District leaders fault UWA over crocodile invasion
A man draws water from a dam abandoned by residents after a crocodile killed one of their own in Kakooge Sub-county in Nakasongola District. PHOTO BY DAN WANDERA.
NAKASONGOLA- As residents grapple with crocodiles’ invasion in the area, Nakasongola District leaders have faulted the Uganda Wild Life Authority (UWA) for neglecting the plight of residents threatened by the reptiles.
The crocodiles have reportedly killed five people from different parts of Nakasongola District in a space of three months.
The marauding reptiles also threaten lives of residents who fetch water at some water sources.
They have reportedly claimed the lives of three people at Kayikanga Village in Nakitoma Sub-county and another two in Karungi Sub-county on the shores of River Kafu, while a school girl sustained serious injuries after being rescued from the jaws of a crocodile in June.
Revenge
Early this year, the angry residents killed one of the crocodiles which had allegedly killed a woman at Kayikanga Village, according to Mr Joseph Ssendaga, a concerned resident from Nakitoma Village in Nakasongola District.
The Nakasongola District Chairperson, Mr Sam Kigula, confirmed the residents’ fears to Daily Monitor , citing the Nakitoma Sub-county incidents where the residents have threatened to protest over UWA’s failed intervention.
“It is very unfortunate that we have lost lives as a result of the crocodiles, which stray from River Kafu and attack residents. UWA has been slow in responding to the threats, even when they claim that humans are supposed to co-exist with the animals. The loss of lives is an indication that these reptiles are supposed to be relocated,” Mr Kigula said.
However, UWA spokesperson Bashir Hangi said the Authority is not officially aware about the deaths caused by the crocodiles in Nakasongola District, describing the incidents as regrettable.
He said UWA has stand-by Problem Animal Staff ready to respond to such emergencies.
“We do not advise the residents to kill the animals, but quickly get in touch with us for quick assistance. We have several options, including the relocation exercise in cases where animals threaten the lives of residents. For the case of Nakasongola, UWA was never informed. We are going to take it up, but we also ask the leaders in Nakasongola to furnish us with the details,” Mr Hangi said during in a telephone interview with Daily Monitor on Monday.
“It is not true that UWA values lives of animals more than that of human lives. The concept of peaceful co-existence between humans and animals should not be misconceived. We value human life first. We are ready to relocate those reptiles once our teams get to Nakasongola and establish the facts regarding these reptiles,” Mr Hangi added.
At Kakooge Sub-county, the residents have reportedly abandoned one of the water dams after a crocodile killed a resident in May. The crocodiles reportedly stray off the banks of the bushy water dam and have eaten about five goats in the area, according to Ms Olivia Namanda Ssali, the district councillor representing Kakooge Sub-county.
