LC boss pleads for elephants
Sep 22, 2010
THE LC3 chairperson of Kihiihi sub-county in Kanungu district, Nelson Natukunda, has asked the residents not to kill elephants, saying they are a source of income to the community.
By Patson Baraire
THE LC3 chairperson of Kihiihi sub-county in Kanungu district, Nelson Natukunda, has asked the residents not to kill elephants, saying they are a source of income to the community.
This was during a meeting where residents were discussing how to keep the animals away from their gardens.
Kihiihi sub-county borders Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The residents said the animals destroy their crops yet no compensation is given to them.
Natukunda reminded the residents that the Uganda Wildlife Authority gives the sub-county about sh40m every year as 20% gate collection to improve social services in the area.
“Although there has been no compensation for the destroyed gardens, there is no cause to kill the animals because we have been directly benefiting from the tourism they attract,†he said.
Kenneth Muhangi, a resident, said the villagers had to defend themselves from the animals, adding that they report to the park wardens but they take long to rescue them.
UWA spokesperson Lillian Nsubuga said the residents have been sensitised on how to deal with the animals, adding that they are not supposed to harm them.
“We are aware that sometimes the animals escape from their area and invade people’s gardens. But they should not kill them. We tell them to drive them away,†she said.
But the residents want UWA to compensate them for their crops.
THE LC3 chairperson of Kihiihi sub-county in Kanungu district, Nelson Natukunda, has asked the residents not to kill elephants, saying they are a source of income to the community.
This was during a meeting where residents were discussing how to keep the animals away from their gardens.
Kihiihi sub-county borders Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The residents said the animals destroy their crops yet no compensation is given to them.
Natukunda reminded the residents that the Uganda Wildlife Authority gives the sub-county about sh40m every year as 20% gate collection to improve social services in the area.
“Although there has been no compensation for the destroyed gardens, there is no cause to kill the animals because we have been directly benefiting from the tourism they attract,†he said.
Kenneth Muhangi, a resident, said the villagers had to defend themselves from the animals, adding that they report to the park wardens but they take long to rescue them.
UWA spokesperson Lillian Nsubuga said the residents have been sensitised on how to deal with the animals, adding that they are not supposed to harm them.
“We are aware that sometimes the animals escape from their area and invade people’s gardens. But they should not kill them. We tell them to drive them away,†she said.
But the residents want UWA to compensate them for their crops.