Managing problem animals is a shared responsibility for all

_______________

OPINION

By Bashir Hangi

Uganda is blessed with an abundance of wildlife that is both a national treasure and a driver of our tourism economy.

However, for communities living adjacent to wildlife protected areas, the proximity of wild animals is not always a blessing. From elephants destroying gardens to hippos raiding crops and lions attacking livestock, encounters between people and wildlife have become increasingly frequent and often costly.

These animals, referred to as problem animals, stray from their natural habitats and encroach on human settlements, where they cause destruction, fear, and in some unfortunate instances loss of life.

For the families affected, the impact is devastating. Last year alone, UWA responded to 48,463 cases of human-wildlife conflict. Crop raids were the most frequent incidents, accounting for 42,213 cases, which represents 87.1% of all cases.15 human deaths and 30 injuries were also recorded from 31 deaths and 68 injuries the previous year. This represents a 51.6 percent decrease in fatalities and a 55.9 percent drop in injuries, reflecting the impact of improved mitigation measures and faster response times.

Human-wildlife conflict is driven by multiple factors. Population growth, agricultural expansion, infrastructural development, and climate change have all contributed to the shrinking of wildlife habitats and the fragmentation of migration corridors.

As wild animals search for food and water, they increasingly come into contact with human settlements. Areas such as Kasese, Rubirizi, Kanungu, Nwoya and Karenga, among others, are frequently cited as hotspots where animals stray into gardens. The threat is not just physical; it is economic, social, and emotional.

Uganda Wildlife Authority has made significant investments in addressing the problem. It has excavated and maintained over 100 kilometres of trenches in high-risk areas, 211 kilometres of electric fence built in problem animal hotspots, deployed dedicated problem animal control teams, trained and supported community wildlife scouts, and implemented revenue-sharing programs that fund community development projects. These interventions are impactful, but they cannot cover every community or prevent every incident. That is why local participation and broader government support are critical.

Communities remain the first line of defence in managing human-wildlife conflict. Timely reporting of animal sightings, safeguarding trenches and fences, and working with UWA and local authorities are all essential steps in mitigating risk. Communities must also avoid retaliatory actions, such as poisoning or attacking animals, acts that are not only illegal but also dangerous and unsustainable. Instead, we must foster a culture of collaboration and mutual protection, where people understand the value of wildlife and are empowered to live alongside it.

There are strong examples of what shared responsibility looks like in action. Recently, in Karenga District, when elephants strayed far from Kidepo Valley National Park and threatened communities, the Uganda People's Defence Forces came in with a helicopter to drive the animals safely back into the park.

This commendable joint operation between UWA and UPDF not only averted potential human-wildlife conflict but also demonstrated the value of inter-agency coordination in protecting both people and wildlife. Such support reinforces the need for security forces, local governments, and conservation agencies to work together more consistently, not just in emergencies, but in proactive conflict prevention.

Local governments ought to treat human-wildlife conflict as a development priority because these conflicts disrupt livelihoods, reduce food security, and strain community morale. District Disaster Management Committees and Environment Offices should actively participate in response planning and risk reduction. Development partners and NGOs must also mainstream wildlife conflict mitigation in agriculture, infrastructure, and livelihood programs.

Most importantly, political and civic leaders must demonstrate responsible leadership. While many have championed conservation and peaceful coexistence, there have been instances where others have incited communities to act against wildlife or UWA.

Such rhetoric, however popular in the moment, only deepens animosity and undermines years of investment in conservation and community partnerships. Leaders must use their platforms to advocate for lawful, collaborative, and forward-looking solutions to problem animals.

Recognising the genuine losses suffered by communities, the Government of Uganda, through UWA, has operationalised a compensation scheme as provided for in the Wildlife Act Cap 315.  The scheme offers an important safety net for affected households. However, available funds remain insufficient to cover all verified claims received by UWA.

This shortfall, while understandable in a resource-constrained environment, reinforces the fact that compensation, though critical, is not the ultimate solution. It must be seen as one part of a broader response strategy that prioritises prevention, preparedness, and long-term community resilience. To strengthen the mechanism further, there is a need for sustained financing, ongoing community sensitisation, and streamlined coordination between UWA, local governments, and beneficiaries.

The problem of stray and destructive wildlife cannot be solved by UWA alone. It requires all hands on deck from national and local governments, to traditional leaders, civil society, researchers, development partners, and most importantly, the communities themselves. Wildlife is part of Uganda’s identity and future. But so are the people who live with it every day.

Balancing the two will require honest dialogue, long-term investment, and strong commitment to peaceful coexistence. We should not wait for the next tragedy to act but strengthen the partnerships, systems, and trust that are needed to ensure both people and wildlife thrive in harmony.

The writer is the Communications Manager, Uganda Wildlife Authority