Stray leopard kills livestock, threatens residents
Residents of Nyakakaka Village in Ndekye Parish, Ryeru Sub-county, Rubirizi District are living in fear following a recent leopard attack that has left their livestock devastated. The community is calling for urgent action as the predator’s assault on their animals has plunged families into hardship and heightened concerns for their safety.
According to local residents Turyahabwe Innocent and Tofias Kenyongore, the leopard killed five sheep and injured another on their farms forcing families to sleep with their remaining livestock inside their homes to protect them. This has exposed residents to serious health risks and increased distress among the community.
Barinda Henry, the LC1 chairperson of Nyakakaka Village described the situation as dire. He warned that if the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) does not intervene promptly to capture the leopard, community members may take matters into their own hands.
The community has appealed to the government for immediate intervention and compensation to help recover their losses. “We need urgent help; our families are suffering,” Henry emphasized.
In response, Bashir Hanji, the communications officer at UWA, assured residents that the authority is aware of the crisis and is already on the ground assessing the situation. He pledged compensation for the livestock lost and stated that efforts are underway to track, capture and translocate the leopard.
Hanji also cautioned residents against harming the animal, reminding them that killing it is an offense punishable by arrest and prosecution.
