Agago district leaders have demanded urgent protection for communities threatened by elephants and other wild animals, as the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) says compensation for affected residents depends on the availability of funds and an electric fence will not be installed within the 72 hours requested.

The disagreement over the timeline for intervention comes amid growing concern about human-wildlife conflict in Agago, where five people have died, 12 sustained injuries and approximately 426 gardens and crop fields were destroyed over the past four years, according to district records.

In a letter dated October 14, 2026, Agago district chairperson Otto Wilson appealed to the chief warden of Kidepo Valley National Park in neighbouring Karenga district to intervene and protect communities experiencing repeated wildlife incursions.

The district reported that 227 compensation claims had been submitted, but only 73 had been paid by the time of its report.

Dr. Eric Enyel, the chief warden of Kidepo Conservation Area, confirmed that 73 claims had been compensated in Agago and said other affected residents would receive payment when funds became available.

He urged claimants to remain patient as the authority prepares to process further compensation.

Enyel said more than 1,000 wildlife compensation claim files from districts bordering the Kidepo conservation landscape, including Karenga, Kitgum and Abim, had been submitted to Kampala for verification.

He explained that the compensation process involves assessments by agricultural officers, photographic evidence and reports submitted to UWA before the Compensation Verification Committee determines the amount payable.

Successful claimants receive consent forms indicating the approved amount, which they can accept or reject. Those who accept must sign the forms and provide their bank account details before the documents are returned to Kampala for payment processing.

Enyel acknowledged that the process takes time, saying the authority must follow established procedures.

The district’s concerns extend beyond compensation to the immediate safety of residents who depend on farming for their livelihoods.

The latest appeal followed reports of a fresh elephant attack in Agago in which two people were killed and two others injured, renewing fears among communities that regularly encounter wild animals near their homes and gardens.

Fence plan faces delay

Agago leaders want UWA to assess the most affected areas and begin establishing electric fencing or other effective barriers within 72 hours to reduce wildlife incursions into settlements and agricultural fields.

However, Enyel said the electric fence would not be installed within the timeframe demanded by the district leaders.

He said the proposed fence was intended to protect human lives and crops, but efforts to introduce it in the Kidepo conservation landscape had encountered resistance from some residents who feared the project could affect their land ownership.

Enyel clarified that the fence would remain UWA property, while the land through which it passes would remain under the ownership of the respective landowners.

He added that arrangements could be made for designated gates to allow residents access to their gardens and water sources.

The warden cited experiences from other protected areas, including Queen Elizabeth National Park, where electric fencing has helped communities protect crops from elephants.

Besides fencing, the district wants UWA to deploy more wildlife rangers, establish strategic ranger posts and improve logistical support for responding to reports of animals entering populated areas.

The leaders have also proposed community sensitisation on wildlife safety, improved compensation procedures and a joint monitoring mechanism involving UWA and local government.

The district says these interventions are necessary to prevent further deaths, protect agricultural livelihoods and enable residents to access their gardens without fear of dangerous encounters.

With compensation payments dependent on funding and no 72-hour deadline for the electric fence, affected communities continue to await a lasting response to the recurring conflict.

The key challenge for the district and UWA is to combine the processing of verified compensation claims with practical measures to reduce the risk of further attacks and crop losses.