KATAKWI – Residents of Usuk Sub County in Katakwi district have appealed to the Uganda Wildlife Authority to protect them from stray buffaloes which on Friday killed a person in Ariamareng village, Ongema parish
The deceased is Joseph Ekinyos, a son of the head teacher of Abela primary School.
The Gomborora Internal Security Officer (GISO), Abraham Aboket, said residents provoked the animals.
“Those animals came at night and passed via my home, they were peaceful, I warned my children don’t provoke those animals, they insisted continued pursuing, stoning and piercing the animals until they killed one.
“The buffalo caught the deceased with its horns, trouncing and trampling him until he died,” Mr. Aboket said.
The deceased was riding a motorcycle when he reportedly bumped into the buffaloes that were trying to cross to Oleuru dam.
Mr. Aboket said the animals came to search for water from Acowa Sub County, in Kapelebyong district.
The Usuk Sub County councillor, Simon Peter Ojaman, said that residents are now living in fear of their lives, adding that some people have locked themselves and children no longer to school unaccompanied.
Mr. Michael Odongo, the police spokesperson for east Kyoga said, the police is trying to get in touch with the officials of Uganda Wildlife Authority to ensure the safety of the locals where the animals have strayed.
Katakwi district chairperson Walter Elakas confirmed the incident and said that about 30 buffaloes were sighted in Ongongoja Sub County, Katakwi district two days ago.
Elakas said the Buffaloes could have strayed into the district from Pian Upe game reserve in Karamoja sub-region.
