Agago residents demand permanent solution to elephant destruction

24 September 2026, 8:07 am

By Bonny Mike Okello

Residents of Omiya Pacwa Sub-county in Agago District have called for a permanent solution to the destruction of crops by elephants and the ongoing dispute over wildlife conservation boundaries.

The residents, who say they have suffered losses for years, made the appeal during a community meeting attended by their Members of Parliament and the Minister of State for Northern Uganda.

It was a sombre mood in Omiya Pacwa Sub-county, Agago District, as men and women broke down in tears while narrating what they described as years of suffering caused by elephants.

The meeting, held on September 22, 2026, brought together residents from Lomoi, Layita and Lojim, together with Lakwa Parish.

It was organised by the Minister of State for Northern Uganda and Agago District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Beatrice Akello Akori, together with Agago North MP Hon. Benson Lugwar.

The meeting was aimed at finding practical solutions to the destruction caused by elephants and concerns surrounding wildlife conservation boundaries.

LC3 Chairperson of Omiya Pacwa Sub-county, Quinto Obita, commonly known as Brother Q, said residents had reached a breaking point after elephants destroyed their crops.

He called on the minister to ask President Yoweri Museveni to visit Omiya Pacwa and witness the situation firsthand.

Residents also questioned the Uganda Wildlife Authority over claims that a large portion of land in Omiya Pacwa falls within a wildlife conservation area.

Christopher Oryem, LC3 Chairperson of Namukora Sub-county in neighbouring Kitgum District, said communities along the border have suffered repeated attacks and destruction by elephants.

Oryem demanded a clear explanation from UWA and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces on the status of the affected land and called for transparency over whether residents are living within a game reserve.

He also warned that residents could take matters into their own hands if further destruction by elephants occurs.

Meanwhile, Sector Intelligence Officer Gabriel Otuku Tipu, who operates with UPDF teams covering Kitgum, Lamwo, Agago and parts of Abim, said security forces are working to push the elephants back towards protected areas.

Otuku, who described himself as a son of the soil, said he would continue working to ensure that the elephants are moved away from communities.

He asked the minister to support the construction or improvement of security roads to ease the movement and operations of security teams responding to the elephant incursions.

Agago North MP Hon. Benson Lugwar said the dispute over the wildlife conservation area dates back to 2015.

According to Lugwar, a meeting was held that year, but he questioned whether the people of Agago were properly represented among those who signed the agreement.

He said the land was later titled on October 24, 2018, covering areas from parts of Orom and Omiya Pacwa to Paimol.

Lugwar further claimed that the titles were issued to the Uganda Wildlife Authority and associated the land with Karenga, despite concerns from communities in Agago.

He said that during a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Lands and the Parliamentary Committee on Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities in Orom Sub-county in July 2026, resolutions were reached concerning the disputed area.

Lugwar said the committees resolved that UWA should first withdraw from the affected areas and compensate residents for destruction caused by wildlife before any further action is taken.

The Minister of State for Northern Uganda and Agago District Woman MP, Hon. Beatrice Akello Akori, said she was deeply concerned by the situation facing residents of Omiya Pacwa.

Akori said the problem of elephants destroying crops is not limited to Agago, but also affects communities in neighbouring Pader District.

She said she had directed relevant teams to go to the affected areas, document the damage caused by elephants and compile details for possible compensation.

On the issue of land and wildlife conservation boundaries, Akori said UWA should address the disputed titles.

She questioned the basis of having land in Agago associated with Karenga, arguing that Agago is not a neighbouring district to Karenga.

The minister further urged residents of Omiya Pacwa to continue using their land, saying the land belongs to the local communities and not UWA.