A stray elephant that had terrorized communities in Kamwenge District for months has finally been captured and relocated to Kibale National Park, bringing relief to residents.
In a statement shared on its X platform (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) confirmed the successful operation, describing it as a significant milestone for both community safety and wildlife conservation.
“After days of tracking and dramatic encounters, a dedicated UWA team safely sedated a bull elephant weighing 3,496 kilograms, estimated to be 20 years old, fitted it with a GPS collar for monitoring, and successfully released it in Kibale National Park,” the authority said.
UWA added that the relocation marks “a major win for community safety and wildlife conservation.”
The elephant, believed to have strayed from Kibale National Park on September 27, 2025, had been roaming several parts of Kamwenge District, sparking fear among residents.
In February, locals from Kahunge and Kamwenge sub-counties raised alarm over the animal’s continued presence, citing destruction of crops and the risk it posed to human life.
The most affected areas included Nyabishekye Village in Mpanga Parish, Mbuka II near River Mpanga, and parts of Kahunge Sub-county.
Residents reported that the elephant destroyed banana plantations, maize fields, and cassava gardens—key sources of both food and household income.
Local leaders noted that the prolonged presence of the animal had heightened fears of potential food shortages and increased tension within affected communities.
The successful relocation is expected to restore calm and allow residents to resume their daily activities without fear, as authorities continue to monitor the animal using the fitted GPS collar.
