Otuke residents living in fear as stray lion roams villages
The lion has reportedly been sighted in villages, including Obongodero village in Acanpii parish and Amyede village in Amwa parish.
File photo
Residents of several villages in Ogwete sub-county, Otuke District, are living in fear following an invasion by a stray lion in their area.
The lion has reportedly been sighted in villages, including Obongodero village in Acanpii parish and Amyede village in Amwa parish.
Francis Abola, the Otuke district chairperson, said the stray animal was spotted on Tuesday (October 13) in Acanpii parish and on Wednesday (October 14) in Amwa parish, where it attacked and killed cows.
"The stray lion is believed to have escaped from the Kidepo Valley National Park in Karenga district and moved towards Olilim sub-county," Abola said.
According to Abola, farmers from Abongodero village saw the lion's footprints, captured them, and sent them to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), which confirmed that it was a lion. The confirmation sent fear through the community as residents started confining themselves to their houses.
He said people are also afraid to go to their gardens for fear of being attacked by the wild animal.
Morris Eric Enyel, the UWA Kidepo Valley National Park area conservation manager, said they have received reports regarding the stray animal and promised that they will trap it and drive it back to its habitat.
Enyel said a team of veterinary staff and rangers are following the lion. Enyel urged residents to remain vigilant and cautioned them to avoid scaring the animal or being tempted to hunt it as a measure to avert any possible retaliatory attack on humans.