Lamwo residents in panic as stray lions kill six cattle
Two stray lions believed to have escaped from Kidepo Valley National park have set a mode of panic among residents of Katum East village in Padibe East sub county, Lamwo District.
The lions have reportedly killed six calves injuring three others in two separate attacks on Sunday and Monday.
The Padibe East Sub County LC 3 Chairperson, Julius Peter Olung said the third attack on Wednesday night was thwarted by a team of Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers deployed to guard kraals in the area.
“Our people are living in fear because the lions are still within the community posing danger to them and their animals. We call upon speedy action by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to drive away the game animals to their conservation area,” he said, adding that the lions are bound to make repeated attacks if they are not driven away as early as possible.
Mr Joseph Okello, the Community Conservation Officer under UWA acknowledged receiving reports of the stray lions and said officials from the authority are already on ground mapping the affected areas and also sensitizing the community on how to keep out of contact with the lions.
“We visited the areas yesterday but couldn’t camp to start driving away the lions because we needed logistics and food for our men. We have confirmed from the foot prints that there are two lions roaming the area but we ask for calm from locals as we start pushing them out,” Okello said.
He acknowledged UWA’s slow response to the plight of the residents, which he attributed to man power shortage coupled with the vast areas of operation under Karenga conservation area, which covers more than 900 square kilometers.
Incidents of stray game animals in Lamwo and Kitgum districts have been common in the past. Late last year, residents of Orom sub county suffered heavy losses after stray elephants ravaged their farms.
