Wild animals kill one in Rukungiri district

Feb 14, 2011

WILD animals from Queen Elizabeth National park in Rukungiri district have invaded Kikarara and Kakoni-Nyabubare parishes in Bwambara sub-county, killing a 63-year-old woman.

By CALEB BAHIKAHO

WILD animals from Queen Elizabeth National park in Rukungiri district have invaded Kikarara and Kakoni-Nyabubare parishes in Bwambara sub-county, killing a 63-year-old woman.

The district Police commander, Julius Salube, identified the dead as Mary Nkafanakyo from Kafunjo in Bwambara sub-county.

He said Nkafanakyo was in her garden when the animals attacked her.

Chris Kagayano, the Kikarara parish councillor, said the animals invaded the area on Wednesday and destroyed crops mainly cassava and potatoes. He said during the dry season, wild animals invade villages in search of food.

“These animals are hostile when they are with their calves and since it is now the dry season, they search for food,” he said.

Kagayano said the woman failed to defend herself due to old age.

The district secretary for production and marketing, Emmy Ngabirano, said the district had budgeted for funds to dig trenches that would bar the wild animals from crossing into the villages.
He appealed to the disaster preparedness ministry to help the affected people with relief food since their crops were destroyed.

The NRM flag-bearer for Bwambara sub-county chairperson, Dinnah Rwakacaka, asked the Government to compensate the family of the deceased.

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