By Emmanuel Olinga
KATAKWI
Buffalos from Pia-Upe Game Reserve have invaded the Districts of Katakwi, Napak, Kapelebyong, and Kween, leaving one dead in Katakwi and four others in critical condition.
Tian Mark, a conversation education assistant at the Pia-Upe conservation game reserve confirmed that four cases have been registered in the space of two days in the districts of Katakwi, Kapelebyong, Kween, and Napak.
Tian has urged community members to be very careful and desist from scaring the buffaloes, especially the lonely ones, because they are wilder than those in a flock.
In Katakwi District, the deceased that was attacked on Sunday, 11th October, 2026 while grazing near his home area has been identified as Isaac Malinga, 23 years old, and a resident of Ongogonja.
In Kapelebyong, Rose Amuge, a resident of Oburi Akiteng, Amero Parish, Acowa Subcounty, Kapelebyong, was among others attacked and is currently admitted at Soroti Referral Hospital, while the other injured are victims of Napak and Kween, who are currently getting treatment in their respective referral hospitals.
Tian Mark, attributed the invasion of wild animals from protected areas to unpredictable weather patterns that have caused drought, hence the wild animals stray in community lands in search of water.
“Inside the protected area conservation park, the dams inside the game reserve—the dams have dried,” Tian said.
He also stressed that among other wild animals that have strayed are inlands and antelope, but among the dangerous animals are buffaloes, which the community should not provoke by following or chasing by making noise but rather quickly inform leaders and UWA authority for deployment.
In response, the UWA authority stressed that sensitization of communities will be made in radios to make awareness to ensure that people are saved.
Geoffrey Omolo, LCV chairperson of the Katakwi district, requested community members to be vigilant because the wild animals have invaded the district.
Omolo underscored the district’s position to task the Uganda Wildlife Authority UWA to prioritize awareness.
Meanwhile, Jorem Akileng, among other grieved relatives of the deceased, implored government through UWA to genuinely compensate the victims of the buffalo attack because their family has lost a young man who has left a widow and children of 3 months and 4 years old with the hardship of upkeep.
