Suspected Poachers Destroy Over 5km of Electric Fence at Murchison Falls

Conservation authorities in Uganda are grappling with a major security setback after suspected poachers vandalised over five kilometers of electric fencing at Murchison Falls National Park. The destruction has triggered fresh concerns that dangerous wildlife could easily stray into surrounding human settlements.

Speaking to the press, Mr Movadi Turyatemba, the warden in charge of law enforcement at the park, confirmed that investigations are ongoing, though no suspects have been arrested so far. According to officials, the targeted vandalism is primarily driven by poachers seeking illegal entry into the protected area.

The affected stretch spans several parishes within Oyam district, including Juma, Zambia, Akuridia, and Bombay in Myene and Kamdini sub-counties. UWA teams have now increased daily patrols and inspections, as the culprits typically carry out the sabotage under the cover of darkness.

The electric fencing initiative began in 2022 to mitigate persistent human-wildlife conflicts across districts like Buliisa, Masindi, Nwoya, Oyam, and Kiryandongo. Since its inception, approximately 126 kilometers of fencing have been erected to keep animals such as elephants and buffaloes from destroying community crops and threatening residents.

Local leaders have strongly condemned the sabotage. Bonny Omara, the LC2 chairperson of Juma Parish, noted that while communities had previously enjoyed relative peace from animal incursions, the compromised fencing now exposes villagers to renewed dangers.

Authorities continue to urge residents and local leaders to collaborate in protecting conservation infrastructure and reporting suspicious activities. Read the full story on the Daily Monitor.