UWA officials rescuing an elephant after attacking crops and communities/ Courtesy photoBy Prisca WanyenyaFarmers in the districts of Agago, Kitgum, Nwoya, Kalenga and Kaabong are living in fear of looming food shortage after over 200 elephants are said to have descended on their farms in search for food, leading to destruction of their crops.The revelation was made by Benson Lugwar (Agago North), during the 14th July 2026 plenary sitting, who asked Government’s intervention, noting that the matter is further being exacerbated by the prolonged dry spell and the continued attacks from the mammoth animals is endangering the lives of the residents.He noted, “For the last one week, more than 200 elephants have invaded into my constituency. These elephants not only disturb the people of Agago North, but it is straight from Kitgum, Agago, Kabong, Karenga and right now as I speak, you will not find any crops in the garden amidst the sunshine. I would really love to request the Minister of Wildlife Authority to kindly help and guide in the process. Had it been the elephants only destroying crops, that would be much better, but also, people losing their life in the hands of wildlife, it is very disturbing.”Crispus Kiyonga, Second Deputy Prime Minister admitted that he is grappling with the same challenge in Kasese as attacks from wildlife is common in districts bordering national parks and called for patience as Government implements the national programme of installing electric fences across national parks across the country.“First, I want to inform you that I’m in the same boat like yourself. From time to time, we who border national parks, we do get those inconveniences and sometimes fatalities. Two things are happening. There is a national programme to ensure that in the shortest time possible, all areas which border national parks and game reserves will be protected by the electric wire. But secondly, where those accidents happen, we require documentation witnessed by the local leadership and the police so that due compensation is paid to the victims,” he said.The concern comes at the time when last week, Christine Lanyero (Nwoya Woman MP) raised concern over the same elephants terrorizing residents in her district in Nwoya and asked Government to expedite the process of installing electric fences across Murchison Fall National Park.Lanyero explained, “We have been having elephant terrorising our residence, our neighbouring districts, and our road users. I would pray that the ministry in charge should expedite the electrical fencing around the park area. enhance funding to Uganda Wildlife Authority so that they may employ more rangers and buy more equipment to help them fight the elephant, not to come to the road and to the community settlement. to expedite compensation for the affected people.”While responding to Lanyero’s concern during the 9th July 2026 plenary sitting, Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja acknowledged reports of wildlife attacks in districts bordering Murchison Falls National Park including; Nwoya, Pakwach, Kiryandongo, Buliisa, noting that although hundreds kilometres of electric fencing have so far been installed, the works are still ongoing.The Premier also urged the MPs to sensitize their electorates on the need to formally report cases of loss of life to Police in order to trigger compensation from Uganda Wildlife Authority noting, “And the two, on compensation, especially those who live in areas where we have wildlife, once somebody has been affected by either elephants or anything, you need to report to police. Once you report to police, it is easy for investigations to begin.”However, it isn’t just elephants that have caused havoc in communities.Dennis Namara also raised concerns of similar attacks from chimpanzees in Muhoro Town Council, Kagadi district that have been gravely affected by repeated chimpanzee attacks resulting in loss of lives and that while government-initiated compensation processes, tenants have raised concerns of being cheated and unfairly treated.In his written question to the Prime Minister, Namara asked Government to provide assurances that the compensation process for affected tenants is conducted transparently with full disclosure of survey and evaluation reports and equitable treatment of all claimants.The Prime Minister responded noting that the compensation process for tenants on Muhoro in Kagadi land was conducted with the involvement of all relevant government institutions to ensure transparency, and while the Chief government valuer conducted evaluations of all land and property interests, those who accepted signed agreements and were duly compensated.The post 200 Elephants Lay Waste to Northern Uganda Farmlands, Sparking Hunger Fears appeared first on Business Focus.