Balaalo
The dry spell between April and August 2026 killed 6,095 cattle belonging to Basongora cattle keepers in Kasese District
By Prisca Wanyenya
Parliament has learnt that a prolonged dry spell between April and August 2026 killed 6,095 cattle belonging to Basongora cattle keepers in Kasese District, prompting calls for compensation and climate-resilient solutions.
The revelation was made by Julius Rude (Bukonzo County East) during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the October 1, 2026 plenary sitting.
“I draw your attention to an unfolding climate-induced livelihood and food-security emergency in Nyakatonzi and Karusandara Sub-counties in Kasese District. In Nyakatonzi alone, approximately 6,095 cattle have died since April 2026 due to the prolonged dry spell. Crop production has equally been severely affected,” Rude said.
“This is no longer simply a livestock challenge; it is an emerging humanitarian, food-security and livelihood-recovery emergency requiring urgent Government response,” he added.
Rude asked Government to urgently engage Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to permit temporary one-to-two months-controlled grazing in appropriate areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park, with clear boundaries, carrying capacity assessment, veterinary surveillance and conservation safeguards.
The request was rejected by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, who cited Section 29(a) of the Uganda Wildlife Act Cap 315 which prohibits grazing in parks.
“Introduction of livestock will exacerbate human-wildlife conflict as lions and carnivores will attack cows leading to return to the killing. Lion population is just being restored after previous killings by the cattle owners,” Nabbanja said.
Rude also asked Government to provide targeted food relief to affected households in Nyakatonzi and other sub-counties to address hunger and rising malnutrition, while supplying drought-tolerant seeds and agricultural inputs.
Nabbanja committed to support drought-affected households with relief food and non-food items whose procurement is ongoing. She said Government through the Kasese District Disaster Management Committee has conducted periodic assessments and submitted a detailed report detailing losses in Nyakatonzi, Munkunyu, Nyakiyumbu, Lake Katwe, Kahokya, Muhokya, Karusandara, Kitswamba, Kinyamaseke, Katwe-Kabatoro and Mubuku Town Council.
She added that with support from the UN World Food Programme and technical support from the Climate Prediction and Application Centre, Government has developed anticipatory action plans for Kasese, Kisoro, Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts to guide actions ahead of forecast floods.
Meanwhile, Peter Okeyoh (Bukooli Island, Namayingo) asked the Ministry of Tourism to erect new cages where crocodiles escaped lakes and killed 11 people including school-going children, and asked Government to compensate bereaved families.
Okeyoh said Government in 2012 constructed protective cages to protect people drawing water from the lake from crocodiles, but cages at Mwangoda and Kamwanga on Lolwe Island were submerged exposing people to attacks. So far, 11 people including school-going children have been killed by crocodiles.
In response, Nabbanja said UWA has assessed the status of the cages at Mwangoda and Kamwanga and confirmed they were submerged due to rising water levels.
“Government has budgeted for construction of two new cages this Financial Year, with works already commenced, and an additional cage planned in Kitagwenda where similar attacks have occurred. Government will provide alternative safe water sources such as boreholes, shallow wells, and pumped water supply,” she said.
