Tragic Chimpanzee Attack Sparks Fear and Frustration in Kagadi District
A recent chimpanzee attack in Kahyooro B Village, Nyamiti Ward, Muhorro Town Council, Kagadi District has left the community in shock and fear. The incident, which resulted in the death of a four-month-old baby, has intensified concerns about the rising number of wildlife attacks in the area. The tragedy occurred when the child’s mother, Ms Rogers Ahaisibwe, left the infant, Miracle Ngonzize, resting near her garden while tending to her crops.
According to reports, a chimpanzee from the nearby Katyobona Private Forest Reserve approached the garden, grabbed the baby, and disappeared into the dense bushes. Neighbors who heard the mother’s cries rushed to help search for the child, only to find the lifeless body deep within the forest. The incident has left the community devastated and more anxious than ever about the threat posed by wild animals.
A Growing Threat to Safety and Livelihood
Mr Yasin Mugabi, the Local Council 1 chairperson of Kahyooro B, described the situation as alarming. He stated that such attacks have become common, forcing residents to abandon their gardens out of fear. Chimpanzees from the nearby forests are known to roam freely, attacking people and destroying crops. For many locals in Kagadi District, farming is their only means of survival, but the increasing threat from chimpanzees has created a difficult dilemma between earning a living and ensuring safety.
Ms Glorious Ajuna shared her own harrowing experience. Last year, a chimpanzee entered her home, grabbed her child, and injured her before villagers chased it away. She spent a significant amount on medical treatment and continues to live with fear and financial burden. “If the government can’t gazette these reserves, they should relocate them to another forest. I don’t know if UWA wants us to first die and then they come to remove these animals,” she said.
Longstanding Issues and Community Struggles
The problem of chimpanzee attacks has persisted for over 20 years, according to Mr Kisembo Matia, a resident of Nyamiti. Over this time, many people have been killed or injured, and gardens repeatedly destroyed. “I have attended over 20 burials of people killed by chimpanzees in our area. For years, we’ve been promised that the land would be gazetted, but nothing has been done. We are living like prisoners in our own homes,” he said.
The impact of these attacks extends beyond safety; it affects children’s education as well. Many students are too scared to walk to school, especially since some roads pass through areas where chimpanzees roam. Richard Ayesiga, a Primary Five pupil from Nyamiti Primary School, shared his fears: “Whenever I try to go to school, chimpanzees cross the road and chase us. I get scared and run back home. I want to study, but I’m afraid.”
Calls for Government Action
Local leaders have criticized what they see as government negligence in addressing the growing menace. Mr Godfrey Nangonza, the LC3 chairperson of Muhorro Town Council, called the situation “dire and unacceptable.” He emphasized that leaders have repeatedly informed authorities, particularly the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), but there has been no effective response. “If this continues, people might resort to killing the animals in self-defence, and that will be another crisis,” he warned.
Mr Nangonza also highlighted that Kagadi District records at least one death annually from chimpanzee attacks, with several others suffering injuries. “This year’s case is the first fatality, but we’ve already had two other minor incidents. The villages of Karuswiga, Nyamiti, and Kahyooro are the most affected,” he said. Residents are now demanding immediate government intervention, with some threatening to stage protests if their pleas continue to go unanswered.
Compensation and Promises
Ms Kahunde Muhereza, a community member, mentioned that an agreement was previously reached with the UWA for compensation, but no payments have been made. “We were told that victims would be compensated, but until now, no payment has been made. Even the proposed compensation was not worth the land we’ve lost,” she lamented.
Mr Bashir Hangi, the spokesperson for UWA, expressed sympathy for the bereaved family and assured residents that the matter had been reported to the central government. “The government is in the process of compensating all the affected families. We are also working toward gazetting the area once funds are available. In the meantime, we urge locals to remain vigilant and avoid provoking the animals,” he said.