New borehole in Kagadi eases human-wildlife water conflicts

In response to the ongoing conflicts between humans and wildlife over water access, a protected, clean water source has been built in Kagadi district's Muhoro town council, to ease tensions. 

The new borehole in Karuswiga central cell has generated excitement among residents, who have long shared unprotected water sources with wildlife like chimpanzees, wild pigs, and foxes. 

Manda Kabampagasa says the prior lack of safe water increased disease risk and discouraged children from fetching water.

She has commended the Chimpanzee Trust for funding the construction of the borehole, which promises a safer future for the community.

She noted that this contaminated water has been exposing them to diseases such as typhoid, cholera and malaria and commended the Chimpanzee Trust for the construction of the water source in the area saying all these fights are going to be history.

She made the remarks during the commissioning of a borehole that was constructed at the cost of shillings 25 million, by Chimpanzees Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (Chimpanzees Trust) on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Karuswiga central cell.

Omuhereza Basigirenda Bikahwa, a resident of Karuswiga central cell Muhoro town council, said they have been sharing water with wild animals from the swamp for over 10 years.

She noted that two years ago, her child was injured by the chimpanzee as the child had gone to fetch water from unprotected water sources in the corridors of primates.

She noted that the construction of water sources in the area was a big relief to the community and it is going to reduce the fights between the community and chimpanzees.

Omuhereza Asiimwe, a resident of Tuhumwire cell, said that they have been getting clean water from Mukikonjo water source which is seven kilometres away.

He noted that the nearby water source they have been depending on is the same water source where chimpanzees and other animals drink water from, hence fueling human and wildlife conflict.

Asiimwe said they had never dreamed of having clean and safe water in the area as they continued to demand leaders to construct a water source in the area in vain.

Kahirra Furunje, the chairperson of Karuswiga cell, said over 30 families have been consuming contaminated water from ponds with wild animals.

He described the construction of a clean and safe water source in the area as a miracle adding that they have been facing the challenges of water shortage for the water for over 15 years.

Competing for resources

Joshua Rukundo, the executive director of Chimpanzee Trust, said the project of construction of the water source in the area was after a feasibility study whose findings showed the human and wildlife conflicts were being fuelled by competition for resources such as water and food.

He noted that after getting the findings, they wrote to their funders who agreed to support the project as a pilot study adding that if the project proves that it can address the challenges of human and wildlife conflicts, more water construction projects will be funded.

He commended the community who offered the land where they constructed the water source and argued the community to properly manage the water source to serve its intended purpose.

John Isingama, the town clerk of Muhoro, commended the organisation for supporting the Government's efforts in providing water to the community adding that they as a town council are unable to provide water to different areas due to scarce resources.

He was optimistic that the construction of the water source would reduce the conflicts between the community and chimpanzees since the community will no longer go to fetch water from the corridors of chimpanzees.

He, however, said the town council leaders are engaging the National Water and Sewerage Corporation to connect piped water to the area to ensure that the community accesses clean water.

Muhororo mayor Godfrey Nangonza said areas such as Kahyoro B and A, Kyamanjaka, Karuswiga east, Nyasige and Karuswiga west are chimpanzees-hosting areas and called on the organisation to lobby for funds to provide water sources in these areas to reduce on conflicts resulting to competition of water between the humans and wildlife.

Adolf Kaahwa, the Uganda Wildlife Authority supervisor in charge Kagadi district, confirmed that there has been an increase in chimpanzees’ attacks in the area resulting in confrontation.

He warned the community against confrontation with chimpanzees and challenged parents to always protect their children from being attacked by Chimpanzees.

He noted Chimpanzees mostly attack children going to fetch water and harvesting mangoes.