By Emmanuel Olinga
KATAKWI
The growing numbers of monkeys and baboons whose habitat is Abela rock near Abela primary school in Abela Parish, Getom Sub County in Katakwi District, is raising concern among the school administration and community, as monkeys escalate stealing food and books from pupils.
Speaking to this reporter on Friday, 7th March, 2025, Isaiah Eucu, the head teacher of Abela Primary School, said despite the fact that the monkey habitat is adjacent to the school, these creatures have become violent, stealing food from students who bring it to school for breakfast.
Eucu is also upset with the community’s hostile attitude of allowing their animals to graze on school grounds, damaging teacher property such as clothing, agricultural gardens.
Abela Primary School, a government-aided primary school has approximately 200 to 300 learners who deal with water shortages, inadequate classrooms, as well as a negative attitude toward school development and early school dropout.
Hellen Kedi, chairperson of the School Management Committee (SMC), claims that the monkeys grab pupil’s food, especially the lower primary pupils.
George Arwaitum LC1 Moru B says whereas monkeys are good at identifying insecurity incidents at night, monkey’s mistake pupil’s books for food, but also monkeys leave the rock and steal chicken, destroying crops at an early stage in surrounding rock homesteads.
Dr. Anthony Odeke , the Acting District Veterinary Officer advised the people to coexist with monkeys because hunger may have forced monkeys to steal and desist from eating any food or chicken leftover of monkeys to avoid contracting Mpox.
In efforts to comment on deploying UWA personnel within the area, Bashir Hangi, Uganda Wildlife Authority communications officer responded, referring the matter to district vermin.
Abela Rock is a touring site for Katakwi and Teso and approximately 200 monkeys and baboons habit in Abela rock in villages of Moru B’ , Aboiboi , Moru A’ , Opoyongo B’and Africa in Getom sub county.
