By Edward Byamukama
The State House, in conjunction with the Office of the Kagadi Resident District Commissioner, has intervened to address the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in Muhorro Town Council and Mairirwe Sub-county, where residents have for years suffered attacks by chimpanzees that have caused destruction of property and loss of lives.
The affected areas include Kahyoro A and Kahyoro B, Kyamajaka, and Nyanzige villages in Nyamiti Ward, as well as parts of Mairirwe Sub-county, located in the Katyobona Forest area.
During a meeting held at Mary Cox Nursery and Primary School in Muhorro Town Council, residents expressed concern over the persistent chimpanzee attacks.
They said the animals frequently stray into their homes, injuring residents and, in some cases, killing children despite repeated appeals to the government for intervention.
Muhorro Town Council Mayor Godfrey Nangonza attributed delays in resolving the problem to frequent changes in leadership, which he said have affected continuity in handling the matter.
Retired General John Katungwensi from State House condemned alleged land grabbing by businessman Kirungi Abudu, accusing him of acquiring land titles for local residents’ land and later forcing them to sell it.
Katungwensi assured residents of the government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution and urged UWA to capture and relocate the destructive chimpanzees to their natural habitat.
Kagadi Resident District Commissioner Caroline Nanshemeza urged residents to report any threats of eviction and directed the LCIII Chairperson to compile a comprehensive report on how land titles in the area were acquired.
Meanwhile, UWA representative Julius Tumwesigye said the authority has deployed a wildlife veterinarian to track, tranquilize, and relocate the dangerous chimpanzees.
