Marauding lions cause fear, unrest in Kitgum community

KITGUM - Marauding lions in Kitgum district's Namakora sub-county community are causing fear and unrest among the residents.

The residents say the roaming lions have been causing havoc between Guda, Agotagot Nyapea A, and Lapana villages for the past three weeks, during which they killed six goats. 

They add that on Sunday, November 18, 2024, evening, two lions were spotted crossing the main road in Nyapeya A village. 

In response, the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) fired shots into the air to scare the beasts away. However, the lion fled towards the Lapana cell, heightening the community's anxiety. 

Denis Lapat Oyet, the headteacher of Bola Primary School, informed Radio Rupiny that few pupils attended school on Monday.

He suspected that children from Jaipi Village, where the lions were sighted, had been discouraged from coming to school.

Due to the ongoing situation, the school administration has been sending children home early to ensure they can arrive safely before dark. 

Additionally, it was noted that locals who intended to travel to Namokora Health Centre IV for medical care avoided going, fearing potential attacks from the lion on their way to the hospital. 

The residents are now crying out to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to relocate the lions.

Namokora sub-county chairperson Geoffrey Opyet said the army is actively tracking the lion and criticised UWA for its slow response.

On November 9, 2024, Kidepo Valley National Park chief warden Richard Muhabwe confirmed the presence of lions in the surrounding areas.

He assured the locals that UWA's veterinary team in Kampala would be informed to track and relocate the lion. However, as of now, this team has not yet arrived to handle the situation.