UPDF helicopter to support elephant relocation in Kitgum
The deployment follows growing concerns over elephants wandering into residential areas and destroying crops in several parts of the district.
(Courtesy)
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KITGUM — The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Air Force has deployed a helicopter in Kitgum District to support the ongoing “Save Corridor” operation, coordinated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to relocate stray elephants that have invaded community land.
The deployment follows growing concerns over elephants wandering into residential areas and destroying crops in several parts of the district.
Last week, the Kitgum District Security Committee, led by Resident District Commissioner Jimmy Ssegawa Ebil, launched a joint operation to address the problem.
Although UWA provided technical guidance, the operation was supported by the UPDF and Uganda Police.
However, efforts to locate and drive away the elephants were hampered after the animals took refuge in dense vegetation that was difficult for vehicles and ground troops to penetrate.
The challenge prompted the state minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Lillian Aber, who is also the Kitgum District Woman Member of Parliament, together with Chua East County Member of Parliament John Calvin Okoya, to appeal to the Chief of Defence Forces for aerial support.
The UPDF helicopter arrived at about noon on Monday (September 14, 2026), and landed at Lokoropwac Primary School playground in Kiteny sub-county.
Pupils gathered at the school to witness the arrival before the team was briefed, and they proceeded to begin the operation in Longanyura, an area where hundreds of elephants have reportedly been feeding on residents' crops for several months.
Maj. Edward Birungi, the Public Information Officer of the UPDF Air Force, confirmed that the helicopter had been deployed to support UWA in tracking and relocating the elephants, adding that the situation was being closely monitored.
The operation combines aerial and ground efforts. Ground troops have been deployed to strategic locations, while the helicopter is being used to help locate and guide the elephants into a single area where they can be managed and relocated.
Geoffrey Oguti, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Chua East County, said officials held a briefing with the pilot to discuss the terrain before the operation began.
Eight people were on board the helicopter at the start of the operation, including the pilot, co-pilot, an intelligence officer, the commander of the 505 Brigade based at Pajimo, a resident familiar with the terrain, and a representative from UWA.
Operation details
The operation has been divided into two zones. The first covers Lokoropwac, including Ladotonen, Anga Ma Olayo, Gili-Gili, and Morongole.
The second covers Namokora North, including Kitileng Ogul and Kalabong.
This is the second time the UPDF has deployed a helicopter in Kitgum to support UWA in dealing with elephants that have strayed into community areas.
He said the long-term solution is installation of an electric fence to prevent elephants from leaving the protected area and entering community gardens and settlements.
However, affected communities continue to raise concerns over the delay in implementing a presidential directive to establish fencing around the game park.
Residents accuse UWA of attempting to use the fencing project to expand protected areas into community land.
They want the electric fence to be installed strictly along the existing boundary of the game park, arguing that this would allow neighbouring communities to continue cultivating their land.
Residents are particularly concerned about proposals that they say could see parts of community land in Tikoa incorporated into protected areas.
Loss of life
According to local leaders in Kitgum, elephants have killed two people and injured five others since the beginning of the year, while hundreds of gardens have also been destroyed.
The latest incident was on September 9, 2026, when a stray elephant killed 94-year-old Severino Obonyo, a resident of Palobolo Village in Namokora North Sub-county, while he was inside his home.
Affected families are now calling for faster compensation for lives lost, destroyed crops, and damaged property.