By Willy Chowoo
In the rural communities bordering Uganda’s national parks, a silent struggle unfolds every day. Elephants trample crops, buffaloes raid gardens, and leopards’ prey on livestock, leaving farmers devastated. For many, wildlife is not just a source of national pride—it’s a threat to their livelihoods.
As conservation efforts succeed in increasing animal populations, human-wildlife conflict (HWC) has also intensified, leading to economic losses, property damage, and, at times, retaliatory killings of animals.
In districts like Kabarole, Kamwenge, and Kyenjojo, which border Kibale National Park, residents experience frequent raids by chimpanzees and baboons, who break into homes and steal food.
“These animals are clever,” says Joseph Mugisha, a resident of Fort Portal. “They wait for us to go to the market, then they invade our homes looking for bananas and maize.”
Keeping Wild at bay
However, UWA has implemented various mitigation measures, focusing on physical barriers, rapid response teams, and community engagement as urgent need to reduce conflicts. These include Electric Fencing, Elephant Trenches and Wildlife Translocation of problem animals.
Electric Solutions
Between 2020 and 2023, the park recorded 20,837 cases of human-wildlife conflict and responded to 18,146 incidents, accounting for 87% of reported cases nationwide during this period, meaning only 2691 were not handled. The conflict led to authority registering 2,315 cases of crop destruction, with elephants being the primary culprits and 997 cases of human-wildlife interaction were recorded, though no damage occurred.
Comparatively, reported human-wildlife conflict cases declined by 11%, from 7,861 in the 2021/2022 financial year to 6,999 in 2022/2023. This reduction was largely attributed to the installation of electric fences in Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) and Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP), as well as the strengthening of other conflict mitigation interventions in various protected areas.
In the last financial year, UWA constructed 4 km of new electric fencing and maintained 102.7 km of existing fences around wildlife conflict hotspots as game changer.
The 102.7 kms of fence maintained included 44 km of fencing was maintained in Murchison Falls National Park and 58.7 km of fencing was maintained in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Out of the 44kms at MFNP, 15kms of electric fence was erected along the boundary with the Oyam district which has reduced cases of deaths from elephants and destruction of crops.
According to UWA, this proactive response has helped mitigate the negative impacts of wildlife incursions on local communities and reinforced UWA’s commitment to ensuring harmonious coexistence between people and wildlife.
The Executive Director (ED) of UWA, Sam Mwandha, notes that Oyam District, which previously had the highest number of deaths caused by elephants, is now recording no cases of human-wildlife conflict. “Since we installed 15 kilometers of fencing and extended it to Nwoya, we have not had a single death due to the restriction,” he says.
Kole District Woman MP and Chair of the Lango Parliamentary Group, Judith Alyek, who has personally experienced elephant intrusions, has praised UWA for its efforts in reducing human-wildlife conflict. “I am happy that the electric fences have prevented park animals, especially elephants, from destroying our crops. The situation has greatly improved, and we no longer see them,” she said
According to UWA, electric fences have significantly reduced crop raids because since they started installing the electric fence, elephant invasions have reduced by almost 70%,” giving the farmers now have peace of mind during the growing season.”
Elephant trenches.
To prevent elephants from crossing into farmland, UWA excavated 22.9 km of elephant trenches, including, 14.9 km in Kibale National Park, 4 km in Queen Elizabeth National Park and 4 km in Murchison Falls National Park.
“Elephants are intelligent creatures,” explains Dr. Peter Wekesa, a conservation expert. “If they learn that a trench blocks their path, they avoid those areas. This is why maintaining these trenches is just as important as digging new ones.”
In some cases, when specific animals repeatedly invade human settlements, they are captured and relocated to deeper parts of the parks.
Moving Problem Animals.
In 2023, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) translocated 25 crocodiles and 21 snakes from areas where they posed a risk to human safety. Hippos, known for wandering into villages, were also a major concern. To address this, seven hippo deterrent fences were constructed in Rakai, Karilo, Kamwenge, and Kyotera districts. “We cannot kill these animals, so the best solution is to move them,” says a ranger from Murchison Falls National Park. “However, translocation is expensive and requires careful planning to ensure the animals do not return.”
UWA spokesperson Hangi Bashir explains that translocation is an effective tool for reducing human-wildlife conflict, particularly when problem animals repeatedly encroach on human settlements, raid crops, or attack livestock.
“Removing problem animals from conflict zones and relocating them to safer habitats helps ease immediate tensions between communities and wildlife,” he notes. However, he emphasizes that translocation should be combined with long-term solutions such as fencing, land-use planning, and community sensitization to ensure sustainable coexistence.
Engaging Communities in Conservation
While physical barriers are effective, long-term coexistence requires community participation and conservation awareness.
To create local solutions, UWA trained and equipped 772 community wildlife scouts from various protected areas, Murchison Falls National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Semuliki National Park and Lake Mburo National Park
These scouts act as first responders when wildlife enters human settlements, helping communities use non-lethal deterrents like firecrackers, chili fences, and loud noises to drive animals away.
The Authority conducted 2,426 community sensitization meetings, 328 school outreach programs and held 337 radio talk shows
UWA’s spokesperson, Bashir Hangi, emphasizes that changing perceptions is key to long-term solutions.
“Many communities see wildlife as a burden, but through education, they are beginning to see the benefits of conservation,” he says.
