By Samuel Tumwesige
Kagadi
Kagadi Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Caroline Nanshemeza on Wednesday convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting in Muhorro Town Council following escalating chimpanzee attacks on residents and growing concerns over compensation processes linked to the proposed wildlife sanctuary.
The meeting brought together residents from Kyamajaka, Kahyooro A and B, Nyanzige, parts of Mairirwe Sub-county, local leaders, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officials, and security personnel to discuss the challenges facing communities neighboring Katyobona Forest.
Speaking during the meeting held at Mary cox primary school in Muhorro town council , Nanshemeza expressed concern over the increasing number of attacks by chimpanzees on residents and reports that unidentified individuals have been conducting compensation-related activities in villages without properly identifying themselves.
She assured residents that government had taken note of the concerns and pledged to convene a high-level security meeting involving Members of Parliament, district leaders, UWA officials, and other stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the human-wildlife conflict and compensation disputes.
The RDC urged residents to remain calm and avoid harming chimpanzees or interfering with wildlife monitoring teams, emphasizing that government remains committed to implementing the presidential directive on land acquisition for the establishment of a wildlife sanctuary.
As an immediate intervention, Nanshemeza directed UWA and the wildlife veterinary team to remove an aggressive chimpanzee reported to have attacked several residents. She recommended that the animal be relocated to a zoo to restore safety and peace in the affected communities.
Residents and local leaders, led by Muhorro Town Council LCIII Chairperson Godfrey Nangonza, also raised concerns about people allegedly moving through villages asking residents to sign compensation documents without presenting proper identification. They said the practice has created fear among community members, with some suspecting that land grabbers could be posing as government officials.
Community members further called for urgent action to address the continued destruction of crops, injuries, and other disruptions caused by chimpanzees in the area.
Responding to the concerns, UWA official Julius Tummwesige, who oversees operations in Kagadi, Kibaale, Kakumiro, parts of Kikuube, and Kyenjojo districts, said the authority is working closely with government agencies to address the situation.
He announced that the aggressive chimpanzee would be removed from Katyobona Forest by the end of the week and relocated to prevent further attacks. He also revealed that UWA is handling compensation matters involving families that have lost relatives to wildlife attacks and pledged continued engagement with affected communities.
The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by government and stakeholders to improve community safety and address concerns surrounding the proposed wildlife sanctuary project.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
