Angry residents in Agago District have reportedly killed two elephants following a series of attacks in Lapono and Lukole sub-counties that left three people dead and two others injured within five days.
The two elephants were found dead on Wednesday morning in Bwol Village, Lukole Sub-county, and Te-Obiya Village, Lapono Sub-county, hours after the latest reported attacks.
The incident has heightened tensions between communities and wildlife authorities over the safety of residents, crop destruction and delays in addressing human-wildlife conflict.
According to accounts from the affected communities, a herd of more than 70 elephants believed to have strayed from Kidepo Valley National Park entered gardens in Bwol and Te-Obiya villages on Tuesday morning.
The attacks reportedly killed James Erin, 32, who had relocated from Alebtong District to farm in Agago, and Palex Oyo, 15. Rose Awor, 60, and Robert Mwaka, 16, sustained serious injuries.
Charles Odyek, a witness, described how Erin was attacked while attempting to escape.
Odyek said Erin tried to take cover under a tree, but an elephant caught up with him and fatally attacked him.
The latest deaths brought to three the number of people reportedly killed in elephant attacks in the district within five days. On October 12, 16-year-old Oyoo Marachiliano was reportedly trampled to death.
Residents have also raised concerns over crop destruction, saying elephants have damaged more than 180 acres of cassava, maize, sorghum, pigeon peas and sunflower belonging to more than 203 families.
The affected families have reportedly been awaiting compensation from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for losses attributed to wildlife incursions.
Agago District LCV Chairperson Wilson Otto has called for the urgent installation of an electric fence to protect communities from further attacks, reportedly giving authorities 72 hours to respond.
UWA has cited funding delays and land-related disputes among the challenges affecting efforts to address the problem.
Following the latest attacks, residents said they had reached breaking point. Community accounts indicate that some residents tracked down and killed the two elephants on Tuesday night, allegedly using spears, poisoned arrows and machetes.
The circumstances surrounding the elephants’ deaths remain subject to investigation.
When contacted, UWA Communications Manager Bashir Hangi confirmed the incident and said the authority was working with the affected families.
“We confirm the incident. We are working closely with the families of the victims to help with funeral arrangements and treating those in hospital. But we call for vigilance of the communities to report any sightings of wild animals in their communities and work with UWA and UPDF and avoid taking matters into their own hands when dealing with wildlife. Investigations have started,” Hangi said.
Hangi urged residents to report wildlife sightings to the relevant authorities and work with UWA and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) rather than resorting to retaliatory action.
The killing of protected wildlife is an offence under Uganda’s wildlife conservation laws and can attract severe penalties. Authorities will need to establish the circumstances of the elephants’ deaths and identify those responsible before any criminal liability can be determined.
However, some residents say they feel increasingly vulnerable as wildlife destroys their crops and threatens their lives.
“We are under siege. Elephants eat our food by day, Karamojong steal our 207 cattle by night. Our children die of hunger and trampling. What do you expect us to do?” a resident of Lapono told Nile Post.
The incident highlights the growing tension between wildlife conservation and the safety and livelihoods of communities living near protected areas.
Residents in parts of northern Uganda, including Agago, Kitgum and Nwoya districts, have repeatedly raised concerns about wildlife entering farmland, destroying crops and threatening lives.
As investigations continue, residents are calling for urgent and lasting measures to prevent further attacks, while wildlife authorities have urged communities to cooperate with law enforcement and avoid killing protected animals.