Uganda: Buffalo Slain after Injuring Five People
Hudson Apunyo
6 January 2010



Lira — A buffalo which strayed out of Kidepo National Game Park injured five people in Lira District on New Year's Eve before residents killed it.

A police officer who did not want to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the press, said the buffalo became violent after it was provoked by residents of Bar Village in Apala Sub-county who mistook it for a cow.

A team of wild life officials rushed to Apala to contain the animal but found the villagers had killed it.

Some of the injured have been identified as Juspenina Agweng 81, Winne Winnie, 8, Ojua, 52 and Ojal, 51, all from Oteno Parish, Apala Sub-county. They were taken to Bar Health Centre III for treatment.

Kidepo Valley National Park Manager Edward Asalu could not deny or confirm whether the animal strayed from his area.

He said:"There are wildlife outside protected area. When you see one, it does not mean it came from a protected area."

He said he was not aware of the buffalo injuring people in Lira.

Mr Justus Tusubira, the Murchison National Park area manager, said he dispatched game rangers to Lira but they have not given him any report.

The Lira criminal investigations department chief, Mr Godwin Tumugumye, said he has no details on the incident.