The state minister for Tourism and wildlife, Martine Mugarra Bahinduka has directed Uganda Wild Life Authority-UWA to open an office in Bana village, Lakang Sub County in Amuru district.
The minister who visited Bana village on Wednesday said this will aid quick response whenever wild animals stray into the area.
The L.C 1 chairperson, Okiya William told the minister that locals have for the last one week been unable to visit their farms following an invasion of 15 buffaloes.
Okiya said that the beasts which stray from Murchison Falls Game Park through East Madi Game Reserve have destroyed over 1,000 acres of crops like rice, beans, millet and maize.
Anthony Oringa, the L.C 111 chairperson Lakang Sub County told the minister that locals are likely to experience food shortage because farming has been interrupted by invasions of lions, leopards, buffaloes and elephants.
The Minister also directed UWA to train community scouts to help in managing such situations. He added that government was still looking for funds to build an electric fence between the park and the community.
Charles Tumwesigye, the Executive director in charge of operations at UWA said they may not be able to open up an office in the area because they are understaffed. He however said they will coordinate with East Madi game reserve to quickly respond to invasions by wild animals
