Rubirizi families suffer livestock losses in leopard attacks

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Residents of Nyakakaka village in Ndekye parish, Ryeru subcounty, Rubirizi district, are living in fear after a leopard attacked their livestock, leaving the community anxious and desperate for assistance.

According to Innocent Turyahabwe and Tofias Kenyongore, whose farms were affected, the leopard killed five sheep and injured another on November 16, 2025, plunging their families into financial hardship.

“We had taken loans to start a sheep-rearing project, but the leopard’s raid has left us unable to repay the loans,” they said.

Residents report that they have resorted to sleeping with their livestock inside their homes to protect them, a practice they say exposes households to serious health risks. They warn that further attacks on animals and possibly people are likely if no intervention is made.

Barinda Henry, the LC1 chairperson of Nyakakaka village, confirmed the severity of the situation and cautioned that if the Uganda Wildlife Authority does not move quickly to capture the leopard, the community may feel compelled to take action themselves.

He appealed for urgent government intervention and compensation to help affected families recover their losses.

In response, Bashir Hangi, the communications officer at the Uganda Wildlife Authority, assured residents that the Authority is aware of the situation and is already assessing it on the ground.

He pledged compensation for the destroyed livestock and said efforts are underway to track, capture, and relocate the leopard.

Hangi also warned residents against harming the animal, reminding them that killing it is an offence that may lead to arrest and prosecution.