Residents in Oyam District living near Murchison National Park are celebrating a year of reduced wildlife attacks following the installation of an electric fence along the park boundary by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
The program has significantly minimized the threat of stray elephants, which for many years damaged property and caused injuries and deaths in the district, particularly in Kamdini, Myene, Aber, and Minakulu sub-counties. Over the years, numerous gardens were destroyed, more than ten people were injured, and over five lost their lives due to elephant incursions.
Bony Omara, the LC One Chairperson of Apala A Village in Kamdini Sub-county, said that from January last year to November this year, there have been no reported cases of elephant attacks in Kamdini, unlike previous years.
“When UWA worked on connecting the electric fence, no stray elephants crossed into Oyam District. Our people living near Murchison Park are now able to carry out agricultural activities, planting and growing crops without elephants destroying them as before,” he testified.
Aye Betty from Te-nam Cell, Kamdini Town Council, added that the electric fence has allowed residents to safely farm land bordering the park, which was previously prone to elephant attacks. Dilla Benson Oyuku, LC 5 Chairperson of Oyam District, noted that the fence has protected both people and children.
“Before the fence, children from schools near Murchison Park, such as Amati and Amaji primary schools, could not safely go to school alone due to stray elephants. Now, residents can farm fertile land near the park without fear, and development activities can proceed safely because elephants can no longer cross into these areas,” he said.
Wilson Kagoro, Warden at Karuma, Murchison Park, said the extension of the electric fence is ongoing toward Nwoya District to further prevent elephant incursions. “Despite the fence, smaller dangerous animals such as leopards can still cross and pose a threat if the community delays in reporting them to UWA or attempts to handle them independently. People must cooperate and report any wildlife sightings outside the park for timely intervention,” Kagoro urged.
The electric fence initiative has brought relief to Oyam communities, allowing safer farming, schooling, and development near the park while highlighting the importance of community cooperation with wildlife authorities.
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