LAMWO DISTRICT WOMAN MP, NANCY ACORA

By : Sarah Achen

Lamwo District Woman MP, Nancy Acora, has called on the government to urgently intervene and protect communities affected by elephant invasions that have destroyed crops and forced residents to flee their homes.

Acora said the elephants have invaded residential areas and gardens, destroying crops and leaving residents living in fear of possible attacks.

She raised the matter of national importance during a plenary sitting of Parliament chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, noting that although no deaths had been reported, the situation remained worrying.

The legislator also appealed to the Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees to provide emergency relief, particularly food supplies, to affected households whose livelihoods have been disrupted. She noted that the Acholi sub-region had already endured a prolonged period of drought, worsening the communities’ vulnerability.

In response, State Minister for Tourism, Hon. Suzan Nakawuki, told Parliament that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities had dispatched a team from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to Lamwo District to assess the situation and help control the elephants.

Nakawuki also pledged that the government would address compensation for crops destroyed by the animals.

Elephant invasions have been a recurring concern in several parts of Uganda, with legislators repeatedly calling for stronger measures to protect communities, prevent crop destruction and address losses suffered by affected households.