OROM RESIDENTS PLEAD FOR PDM REPAYMENT EXTENSION AS ELEPHANTS RAVAGE GARDENS

18 October 2026, 10:44 am

By Otim Moses

Residents of Orom Sub-county in Chua East County, Kitgum District, have appealed to government to suspend repayment of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, citing three years of sustained crop destruction by elephants straying from Kidepo Valley National Park.

The appeal was made during a community baraza held on October 16, 2026, in Laganyura Parish. The baraza was organised by Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) in partnership with ADRA Uganda under the STRENGTH Project, which creates platforms for communities to discuss social and structural barriers to household wellbeing.

Residents said the invasion has crippled livelihoods, disrupted government programs and pushed families deeper into poverty.

Odokara Pop, a resident of Laganyura, said farmers have not realised any returns from PDM since elephants have destroyed their crops for three consecutive seasons.

“We are unable to make any progress in government programmes like PDM. We appeal to government to excuse us from refunding the money,” he said. He asked government to regulate the elephant population in Kidepo.

Akwero Betty, another resident, appealed for education support, saying families can no longer afford school fees after losing their harvests.

Amone Richard Ocaya said affected families have not received compensation despite filling forms issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). He said he lost Shs8 million borrowed from a financial institution for farming after elephants destroyed his garden.

Okema Charles, the LC1 chairperson of Ojorogole Village, said the community feels neglected and appealed for urgent relief food.

Ayoo Iren, the Female District Councillor for Orom Sub-county, said residents are not opposed to fencing the park, but want the boundary clearly demarcated and sensitisation conducted.

“We appeal to government and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities to listen to the cries of the people of Orom, support them with relief food, settle the boundary and compensate affected families in time,” she said.

Ocen John Bosco, the District Councillor representing Orom, said the invasion has had far-reaching social effects, including school dropouts and household poverty, and called for immediate compensation.

Acaye Jimmy, the LC3 Chairperson of Orom Sub-county, called for additional relief food for greater Orom, Kiteny and Namokora sub-counties and asked government to review PDM repayment conditions for affected households.

According to local leaders, more than three people have been killed, several injured and thousands of gardens destroyed by elephants in greater Orom, Kiteny and Namokora in recent years.