UWA Unveils Shs780M Electric Fence Plan for Chua East, After Lives Lost and Crops Destroyed

© Kitgum District Headquarters 

 

UWA Unveils Shs780M Electric Fence Plan for Chua East, After Lives Lost, People injured and Crops Destroyed

KITGUM — The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Jimmy Ebil, has called on residents of Chua West to embrace a proposal by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to install an electric fence as authorities intensify efforts to address the growing conflict between communities and wildlife citing the constant elephant invasion.

RDC Ebil made the call during a briefing between UWA officials, security personnel, District Executive Committees and community representatives at the District Council Hall, where the impact of human-wildlife conflict on communities in the area took centre stage.

For years, residents in parts of Chua East have faced increasing threats from wildlife, with communities reporting loss of lives, injuries and destruction of crops. The situation has left many families worried about their safety and livelihoods, particularly those living close to areas frequented by wild animals.

The RDC said the proposed electric fence which was promised by his Excellency by 2024 could provide a much-needed solution by creating a physical barrier between wildlife and communities.

He urged residents to support the initiative, especially given the scale of damage already experienced by communities.

“Many lives have been lost, people have been injured and crops have been destroyed. We need to support measures that can help protect our people and their livelihoods,” RDC told the gathering.

During the briefing, UWA informed community representatives that the proposed electric fence is expected to cost the Government approximately Shs 60 million per kilometre.

According to the proposal presented to the representatives, the initial phase would cover approximately 13 kilometres, putting the estimated cost of the first phase at about Shs780 million.

The proposed project is expected to focus on areas where communities have experienced significant encounters with wildlife, with the broader objective of reducing the movement of wild animals into settlements and agricultural land.

The intervention, however, comes with several questions from the communities, particularly regarding land, compensation and how the project will affect residents living along the proposed route.

Representatives from Orom Subcounty, Kiteny and Namokora attended the briefing and used the meeting to call for wider consultations before implementation begins.

The representatives argued that discussions should not remain at the District Council level alone.

They want security authorities, UWA and district leaders to take the conversation directly to villages so that the people who will live alongside the proposed fence can understand the project, its benefits and its possible implications.

The community's concern is that some residents may be directly affected when the fence is installed, particularly those whose land, gardens or other activities could fall within the proposed corridor.

One of the strongest issues raised during the briefing was the need for a clear compensation arrangement which would involve a clear Memorandum of Understanding, matters of land affected by the fence, crops or other property that may be lost during construction, and the procedure residents would follow in case they suffer losses.

The representatives believe having such an arrangement in place before construction begins would reduce misunderstandings and give communities confidence in the project.

While communities generally recognise the need for urgent action against human-wildlife conflict, residents want the proposed intervention to be inclusive by taking the discussions down to village level, which would also help address rumours, explain how the electric fence will operate and allow residents to raise concerns specific to their areas.

The proposed 13-kilometre fence could become an important step in addressing the human-wildlife conflict in Chua East if it is implemented with adequate consultation and transparency in regards to the Compensation plan which the community should know about.

As UWA and the district authorities prepare for the next stage, all eyes will now be on how the proposed consultations are conducted and whether a clear agreement on compensation and community participation will be reached before construction begins as UWA alleged this should be done as soon as possible since resources are ready.

For communities that have already lost lives, suffered injuries and watched crops destroyed, the hope is that the proposed electric fence will not remain another plan on paper—but a practical intervention that finally brings greater safety to Chua East and Kitgum District at large.

By. •Kitara Daniel Tolit |Kit Media Link 

Email: dtolitkitara@gmail.com 

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