Residents of Kitagwenda District are growing increasingly frustrated with the Uganda Wildlife Authority's (UWA) delays in completing the electric fence around Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The project, which began in September 2023, aims to curb the ongoing human-wildlife conflicts, particularly caused by elephants destroying crops in nearby communities.
While some progress has been made, the slow pace of the project has led to rising tensions, with locals demanding UWA expedite the construction to protect their livelihoods.
Communities in areas such as Kanyabikyere, Kyendangara, Mahyoro, Kitonzi, Rwetuuma, Zambia, and Ryengoma have been hardest hit, as elephants continue to devastate crops like maize, beans, and sweet potatoes.
Justus Tugume, a resident of Kanyabikyere village, expressed his frustration after losing his 10-acre maize garden to elephants.
"We thought the electric fence would be quick and bring relief, but UWA's delays have left us exposed. Elephants have destroyed our livelihoods," he lamented.
Similarly, Patrick Barugahare from Zambia village shared his disappointment, noting that the elephants have repeatedly destroyed his cassava garden since the fence installation halted.
"I last saw workers in March. Since then, no progress has been made, and no one came to explain the delay," he complained.
Local leaders are also alarmed by the situation. Muzamiru, the youth male councilor representing Kyendangara ward, revealed that community members are willing to offer free labor to UWA to help speed up the fencing.
"We are ready to assist UWA in erecting the electric fence. We need to save our crops from elephants," he urged.
John Vincent Bimbona, the Mahyoro Town Council Chairperson, described the situation as dire, with over a hundred families forced to sleep outside to protect their crops from marauding elephants.
"It's not just crops at risk but also the lives of residents. We urgently need effective solutions to mitigate these conflicts," Bimbona emphasized.
Kitagwenda District Chairperson, Ismail Mushemeza, acknowledged the distress caused by the delay but urged residents to remain calm and avoid harming the wildlife.
"While the delayed installation has caused significant losses, particularly for maize farmers, I urge patience. UWA will resume the works soon," he reassured.
In response to the complaints, UWA spokesperson Bashir Hangi explained that the swampy terrain in the area requires synthetic poles, which need to be imported, leading to procurement delays.
"We are not ignoring the issue. The synthetic poles are necessary, but the importation process has taken longer than expected. Once the poles arrive, construction will immediately resume," Hangi promised.
So far, UWA has completed three kilometers of the electric fence, stretching through the villages of Buhindagi, Rwetuuma, and Omukarere.
Residents, however, remain hopeful that the project will be completed soon, as they continue to face the constant threat of wildlife invasion.