Fourty herds of stray elephants from Kidepo Valley National Park have destroyed over 60 acres of crops in Namukora North Sub-County in Kitgum district.

The Namukora North Sub–County Chairperson Henry Komakech confirms the incursion of the stray animals that have mainly ravaged maize, sorghum and millet crops in the villages of Masese Gili-Gili and Kal Gili-Gili.

According to Komakech, the stray animals first arrived in the area last week but were driven away by wildlife scouts towards Silon Village in Orom Sub -County but they later returned to Namukora North on Wednesday and have continued to wreak havoc in the area.  

The Kidepo Valley National Park Chief Warden, Samuel Amanya acknowledges receiving complaints from the residents saying a team has been dispatched in the area to drive the animals away and also conduct an assessment to determine the magnitude of the damage for compensation.  

Amanya however also urged the local residents to avoid provoking or injuring the wildlife and be extra vigilant and immediately report instances of stray and problem animals as an intervention to avert any possible danger to the populace and further crop destruction.