Monkeys terrorise Kabale
May 06, 2008
Monkeys from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have destroyed several gardens of crops in Ikumba sub-county, Kabale district.
Monkeys from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park have destroyed several gardens of crops in Ikumba sub-county, Kabale district, reports Darious Magara.
The Ikumba LC3 chairman, Julius Baryekye, said most affected areas were Kyogo and Mburamizi villages in Kyogo parish.
“The monkeys have kept men way from their homes because they have to guard their gardens all day long. Children and women cannot guard the gardens because the beasts attack them,†Baryekye explained.
He said the affected areas could be hit by famine since the primates and other animals from the park have hampered food production.
“In addition to the harm done by the monkeys, in the rainy seasons, elephants also attack the gardens, so our people are helpless,†Baryekye lamented.
Crops destroyed include tea, Irish potatoes, beans, maize, yams and pumpkins. Baryekye said the residents were planning to hold a demonstration since the primates are continuing to destroy their crops and the Government was yet to offer any help.
One of the affected farmers, James Bakwatirenda, said he was contemplating suing the government over the loss of his crops.
“Monkeys and elephants have destroyed my targeted harvests. The Government should compensate me for the loss,†he said.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority community conservation ranger for Bwindi, Victor Magara, said they would soon conduct training sessions for the residents on how to trap the monkeys.
“We want to train the residents on how to trap the monkeys to reduce the destruction of the gardens of people living near the park,†Magara said.
The area councillor, Silver Baguma, who is also the district vice-chairman, said they would discuss the problem with the central government officials.
The Ikumba LC3 chairman, Julius Baryekye, said most affected areas were Kyogo and Mburamizi villages in Kyogo parish.
“The monkeys have kept men way from their homes because they have to guard their gardens all day long. Children and women cannot guard the gardens because the beasts attack them,†Baryekye explained.
He said the affected areas could be hit by famine since the primates and other animals from the park have hampered food production.
“In addition to the harm done by the monkeys, in the rainy seasons, elephants also attack the gardens, so our people are helpless,†Baryekye lamented.
Crops destroyed include tea, Irish potatoes, beans, maize, yams and pumpkins. Baryekye said the residents were planning to hold a demonstration since the primates are continuing to destroy their crops and the Government was yet to offer any help.
One of the affected farmers, James Bakwatirenda, said he was contemplating suing the government over the loss of his crops.
“Monkeys and elephants have destroyed my targeted harvests. The Government should compensate me for the loss,†he said.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority community conservation ranger for Bwindi, Victor Magara, said they would soon conduct training sessions for the residents on how to trap the monkeys.
“We want to train the residents on how to trap the monkeys to reduce the destruction of the gardens of people living near the park,†Magara said.
The area councillor, Silver Baguma, who is also the district vice-chairman, said they would discuss the problem with the central government officials.