Two people are nursing gunshot wounds after they were shot by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers for allegedly trespassing and grazing livestock inside Mt. Elgon National Park in Bukwo District.
The incident happened today at around 10:00 a.m. in Chebinyin Village, Chesimat Parish, Kortek Sub-county.
Michael Chebet, the LC III Chairperson of Kortek Sub-county, identifies the injured persons as 30 year old Kabati and Paul Mungech, both residents of Chebinyin Village.
Chebet says the two were shot in the legs by UWA rangers, who later retreated into the forest.
Chebet has condemned the shooting, saying rangers should prioritize arresting suspected offenders instead of using live bullets.
He describes the incident as a violation of human rights, adding that UWA works closely with communities neighboring protected areas and should promote peaceful coexistence.
Meanwhile, Ivan James Namoma, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Bukwo has cautioned communities living near Mt. Elgon National Park to avoid encroaching on protected areas to prevent conflicts with wildlife authorities. He emphasizes that the national park is out of bounds and that no one should enter without permission.
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