Vegetable farmers in Kasese are worried following a strange insect that has invaded green vegetables in some parts of the district.

 The bizarre insect, with a dog-like head and resembling a human skull, has so far been reported in Karambi sub-county and Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council neighbouring the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Karambi sub-county chairman, Paddy Muhindo, confirmed the strange creature, calling for urgent intervention from the experts.

Muhindo said the unusual creature mainly attacks dodo and cassava leaves.

For many years, cassava leaves have been consumed as sombe, a local delicacy especially among Ugandan and Congolese residents along the common border made from leaves that are mixed with dry fish, meat or roasted groundnut paste.

He cautioned the residents to be vigilant while harvesting the vegetables where the insect mainly harbours.

“It only has a head which resembles that of a human face,” he said. Adding that it had also been sighted on trees saying it had covered the whole sub-county.

The Karambi sub-county agriculture officer, Morris Muhindo, said he too had received reports about the mysterious creature and urged the residents to suspend the consumption of green vegetables as scientists investigate more about the insect.

“We don’t know yet how to eliminate it because it is new,” Muhindo said.

He said according to unconfirmed information, the insect can poison human beings or domestic animals if consumed.

Paddy Agaba, the Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council speaker also said the insect had been seen on vanilla leaves.

Julius Baluku, the District Agricultural Officer, said his office was investigating the unprecedented insect, including its feeding patterns.

“This pest has been identified in the sub-counties neighbouring Congo mainly MLTC, parts of Karambi and Isango,” he said.

Baluku said it is mainly found on cassava leaves and jatropha, which is locally known as kisogasoga.

“Wherever it is on a leaf, you see other mealybugs- like pests around it. What is seen is like a cocoon,” he said.

He said the district was in touch with the Agriculture Ministry and the National Research Organisation (NARO) for further investigations.