agriculture 15 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Buliisa Farmers Face Financial Ruin as Elephant Raids Continue Unabated
Farmers in Buliisa District are experiencing significant crop losses and financial hardship due to ongoing elephant raids, with many facing long delays in receiving compensation for destroyed harvests. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/farmers-in-buliisa-stare-at-losses-after-elephant-raids-5596102
Residents of Buliisa District are grappling with escalating losses as herds of elephants repeatedly raid their farmlands, decimating crops and jeopardizing livelihoods. For years, farmers like Robinah Bagadisa have waited for compensation after their maize and cassava fields were destroyed. Bagadisa recounts an incident in 2020 where elephants ravaged her two-acre garden, a loss that significantly impacted her family’s food security and income. Despite reporting the damage to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and completing the necessary procedures, she is still awaiting financial redress after six years.
The problem is widespread, affecting numerous farmers living near wildlife habitats. The destruction of crops not only leads to food insecurity but also drives up local food prices. For instance, the cost of dried cassava, a staple food, has reportedly surged from Shs10,000 to Shs50,000 per basin. This increased cost exacerbates the financial strain on families already struggling to replant and recover from the raids.
Charles Katusiime, a local farmer, notes that these elephant attacks have been occurring for about a decade. While he has also suffered losses of maize and groundnuts, he has refrained from reporting them due to fears of lengthy compensation delays, a sentiment echoed by many in the community. These recurring incursions highlight the precarious balance between human settlements and wildlife conservation areas.
In response, UWA has been implementing mitigation measures, including constructing fences along wildlife corridors. Over 141 kilometers of fencing have been erected, with approximately 40 kilometers in Buliisa District. UWA aims to complete the remaining sections of the fence to better secure the corridor and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
UWA Community Education Officer, Wilson Kagoro, stated that over 100 farmers in Buliisa have received compensation and more are expected by October. He urged farmers to report raids promptly, ideally within three days, to allow for timely damage assessment and facilitate the compensation process. UWA also encourages farmers to document the damage with clear photographs and ensure all compensation forms are accurately completed with the assistance of agricultural officers.