UWA COMPENSATES FAMILIES ATTACKED BY CHIMPS
She has urged the locals to learn how to live with chimpanzees since they don't cause any harm when they are not attacked or provoked.
By Chris M Bruno
KAGADI: The Uganda Wild Life Authority (UWA) has refunded medical bills to the families that were attacked by chimpanzees in Muhoro town council, Kagadi district.
This follows the matter raised on the floor of Parliament last week by Buyaga West Constituency Member of Parliament, Hon. Barnabas Tinksiimire, and requesting quick intervention from the government on chimps that have claimed the lives of innocent Ugandans in Muhorro Town Council.
The money was handed over to the family members by a representative from UWA, Ms. Vannesa Mirembe, on Thursday at the Kagadi Resident District Commissioner’s office.
Ms. Mirembe told this publication that the government, through UWA, is mandated to pay medical bills to whoever suffers from animal-human conflicts, urged all victims to register with UWA so that they can access the hospital bills, and promised to compensate other families that have lost their beloved family members under similar circumstances.
She has urged the locals to learn how to live with chimpanzees since they don’t cause any harm when they are not attacked or provoked.
Mr. Amanya Ricard and Mr. Omuhereza Kyamanywa, who received 1,060,500 shillings and 1,600,000 shillings, respectively, said though they have been compensated, their children have developed mental health problems and thus become vulnerable after being attacked and harmed by the chimps.
The Kagadi district resident commissioner, Mr. Kamukama Nicholas Aine, has urged residents of Muhoro town council not to kill chimpanzees out of anger because they also revenge when provoked.
He said the government wants people more than chimpanzees, and the people, in turn, want chimpanzees since they attract tourists, hence boosting the tourism industry.
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