Uganda: Lioness Terrorises Fort Portal


The Monitor (Kampala)

11 September 2008
Posted to the web 11 September 2008

Josep Mugisa


A roaming lioness and its cubs has disrupted life in Fort Portal Municipality forcing people to abandon their gardens in fear of the carnivores.

The lioness, according to local leaders from Kasenda and Rutete Sub counties in Kabarole District, is reported to have escaped from Queen Elizabeth National Park and entered Kahunge Sub county in Kamwenge District via Kibaale National Park. "People are very scared. For three days, they have been keeping indoors," Mr Gideon Ruta, the LC 5 councillor for Kasenda, said yesterday


Daily Monitor has learnt that the lioness has been preying on domestic animals like pigs, cows, goats and sheep. In Kabarole District, it was first detected on September 5 after it ate goats and cows in Rusenyi and Rurama parishes. Local leaders have put the number of animals eaten by the fierce beast to over 20 since it escaped from the park.

Fort Portal Municipal leaders have urged people to stop moving at night and to move in groups when going to get food from their gardens. Uganda Wildlife Authority office in Kampala said they are aware of the presence of the lioness and a "team is tracing it."