Over 100 farmers in Tuikat sub-county, Kween District, have lost millions of shillings worth of crops, including maize, Irish potatoes, vegetables, and trees, after Uganda Wildlife Authority personnel attached to Piswa outpost razed their fields. The destruction occurred on Saturday and Sunday, leaving farmers in distress.
The affected farmers, including Matayo Cherukut, Mzee Alex Masai, Rose Habibu, and others, are demanding urgent action, including:
- Installation of coordinates and pillars to mark boundaries
- Site visit by stakeholders
- Compensation for damages
- Presence of RDC, MPs, district leadership, conservation area manager, human rights activists, CSOs, media, and other stakeholders
- Police documentation of the site
The community, which occupies both temporary and permanent land, is seeking immediate attention to address this crisis.
Kween District and Bukwo district have for a long time suffered from fairness of UWA rangers who at times shoot and kill residents and animals.
Last month, UWA rangers shot and killed 4 cows in Bukwo for allegedly crossing to graze in the forest.
Relatedly, a 16 year old boy was shot and killed by UWA rangers in Bukwo district.
There have been several cases of shooting incidents by UWA rangers with locals not getting justice.
Last week during the Parliament session, the Bukwo District woman MP Chemutai Everlyne brought to the attention of the speaker how her constituents have been suffering from UWA injustice.
According to Everyln, Over 50 people are nursing gun wounds in the hospital inflicted by UWA rangers.
She further noted that over 50 people have been killed for the past one year leaving their families prematurely.
She however requested Hon Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker to ask the prime minister to dialogue with the community.
Further she Demanded for the compensation of properties lost, life and livestock.
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