For generations, communities around Muhorro town council in Kagadi district lived alongside chimpanzees, separated by forests that provided enough space and food for both humans and wildlife. That fragile balance, however, is rapidly collapsing. The destruction of natural forests has pushed chimpanzees out of their traditional habitats and into villages, gardens and trading centres, triggering a wave of attacks that has left residents living in fear and conservationists warning of a crisis that could worsen unless urgent action is taken. Muhorro, located in Buyaga county, has become one of the country’s major hotspots for human-chimpanzee conflict. Local leaders estimate that at least 80 children have been attacked by chimpanzees over the years, with six confirmed deaths, placing the area among the most affected in Uganda. Conservationists say the conflict is not simply a wildlife problem but a direct consequence of environmental destruction. As forests disappear, chimpanzees are losing the natural feeding grounds and shelter that once kept them away from human settlements. Degraded ecosystems, including parts of Kagombe Forest Reserve and the wider Tooro Semuliki landscape, have forced the animals to move closer to people in search of food. The result has been deadly. Children, especially those walking alone to gardens, collecting water or playing near forest edges, have become the most vulnerable victims. Parents in Muhorro now restrict children’s movements, escort them to gardens and avoid sending them to water sources where encounters with chimpanzees have become increasingly common. A TRAIL OF DEATHS AND INJURIES The fear gripping communities is rooted in painful experiences. In June 2022, five-year-old Mugabe Bikahwa was seriously injured after a chimpanzee attacked him while he was fetching water with other children in Muhorro. Less than a year later, tragedy struck again when a two-month-old baby girl, Aroho Ahumuza, was snatched from her mother as she walked to the garden in March 2023. Despite being rushed to Kagadi general hospital, the infant died from injuries sustained during the attack. The most recent incident occurred in October 2025 in Kahyooro B cell, Karuswiga ward, where a five-month- old baby boy was killed by chimpanzees. Janet Kobusinge, the child’s mother, said she was working in her bean garden with the baby tied on her back when chimpanzees suddenly emerged from the nearby Katyoboona forest. “They came so fast. Before I could react, they had grabbed my baby and disappeared into the forest,” she recalled. Residents launched a search, but the child was later found dead with severe injuries on the head, mouth and chest. The death angered residents, with the child’s father, Rodgers Ahaisibwe, accusing government agencies responsible for wildlife management of failing to protect communities living near forests. “We are living in fear every day. Our children are not safe, yet no lasting solution has been provided,” he said. COMMUNITIES DEMAND RELOCATION OF CHIMPANZEES Growing frustration has pushed some residents to demand drastic interventions, including relocating chimpanzees to protected areas such as Kibale National Park. Ben Wabyona, a resident of Kahyooro, said while chimpanzees contribute to Uganda’s tourism earnings, communities should not continue paying the price through loss of lives. “We cannot continue losing our children. Government should consider relocating these animals to places like Kibale National Park,” he said. Other residents have called for some forest areas to be degazetted to allow communities to expand settlement and agricultural activities. However, conservationists warn that reducing forest protection would only deepen the crisis by destroying more wildlife habitats. THE REAL ENEMY: DISAPPEARING FORESTSKuteesa Swaleh Kadoma, executive director of Friends of Chimpanzees, said the attacks are a symptom of a much bigger environmental crisis. “Chimpanzees were not aggressive in the past because they had enough food and space. But with deforestation, they are now forced into communities,” Kadoma said. He explained that chimpanzees can travel up to eight kilometres a day in search of food and are increasingly attracted to farms growing bananas, maize and cassava. According to Kadoma, human actions during encounters also influence how chimpanzees respond. “When people throw stones at chimpanzees or attempt to chase them, the animals perceive it as a threat. They may retreat, but later return to retaliate,” he said. He added that poverty, cultural beliefs and illegal hunting have further complicated conservation efforts, with some communities targeting chimpanzees for bush meat or traditional practices. However, conservation organisations are now promoting alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on forests. Through support from the Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU), communities are being encouraged to engage in activities such as beekeeping, fish farming and livestock rearing. “We are encouraging communities to protect chimpanzees because harming them can lead to legal consequences. At the same time, we are offering practical solutions to improve livelihoods,” Kadoma said. FORMER POACHER NOW PROTECTS CHIMPANZEES One of the unlikely champions of conservation is John Mugasa, a former poacher who now campaigns for peaceful coexistence between wildlife and communities. Mugasa says killing wildlife is not a solution because animals contribute to Uganda’s tourism economy and environmental protection. “Killing wildlife is the worst thing a Ugandan can do. They are sources of foreign exchange through tourism, and conserving them and the environment is the only option we have,” he said. To reduce human-wildlife conflict, Mugasa has planted indigenous tree species that provide food for chimpanzees, including Cordia millenii, whose fruits are among their preferred foods. NEED FOR PLANNING AND BUFFER ZONES Environmentalists say Uganda needs stronger planning measures to prevent future conflicts. They want the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to establish clear buffer zones separating human settlements from wildlife habitats. Godfrey Nangonza, the mayor of Muhorro town council, said clear boundaries would help communities understand areas where human activities should stop. “They need to establish clear boundaries so that people know where to stop. This will help reduce conflicts,” he said. He also called for incentives to encourage private forest owners to conserve trees and recommended planting crops that are less attractive to chimpanzees. Water access remains another challenge, with many attacks occurring at shared water points. Nangonza proposed investment in piped water systems and community water tanks to reduce dependence on natural water sources shared with wildlife. A FUTURE DEPENDENT ON COEXISTENCE Conservationists warn that without urgent action to restore forests and protect habitats, human-wildlife conflicts will continue to escalate. “Protecting chimpanzees is not just about wildlife; it is about ensuring a safe and sustainable future for both people and the environment,” Kadoma said. For communities in Muhorro, the challenge is finding a way to protect a species that is vital to Uganda’s natural heritage while ensuring children no longer become victims of a conflict created by disappearing forests. geofreyserugo1992@gmail.comThe post As forests vanish, chimpanzees are turning into human threat in Kagadi appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.