Josephine Naiga, a resident of Kikoba village in Nakitoma, says that she has been grazing and watering about 40 cows in the sanctuary. She says that since Nakasongola is a dry area, the availability of free pasture and water for their animals was a great relief to pastoralists.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a home to 33 white endangered rhinos in Nakitoma sub-county, Nakasongola District is currently out of bounds to tourists and the public following a directive by Uganda Wildlife Authority to have it closed off.
At least 60 cows have died since January due to lack of water and pasture. Kasese District has an estimated 80,000 head of cattle. Nyakatonzi alone has more than 40,000 cows.
The Nakaseke District Chief Administrative Officer John Katotoroma has confirmed the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease at Kyeshande village in Kinoni sub county.
Most of the pastoralists have been forced to sell off their cows for as low as Shillings 100,000. To date most farmers are continuing to lose their animals due to the prolonged drought.
Simon Erwagu, Kapelebyong district interim chairperson is worried that theft of animals and food stuffs crops is likely to occur this year again because they have not agreed with the herdsmen on the guidelines to be followed.
The meeting comes as an ultimatum issued by Agriculture minister Vincent Ssempijja for the pastoralists to peacefully vacate the region expires at mid night. Ssempijja pushed the deadline from January 31 to March 16 to allow the pastoralists vaccinate their animals against foot and mouth disease and process animal movement permits.
The dry spell that hit Lyantonde district in may has suppressed pasture growth and desiccated water sources in the Sub Counties of Lyakajura, Kinuuka, Kashagama, Mpumudde and parts of Kaliiro.
The beneficiaries are pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in karamoja region and the neighboring districts of Teso sub-region including Amuria, Katakwi, Kumi and Bukedea.
Doctor Sam Eswaggu, the Nakasongola District Veterinary Officer says most water sources there have dried up as they experienced little rains last year.
Pastoralists in Nakasongola district are always hit hard by drought and at least 3000 heads of cattle die per year as result of lack of access to water according to district Veterinary reports. The district also has over 254,000 heads of cattle.
It all started after Twaha Lwakaana, a local businessman and Zeedi Lwakaana, the NRM chairperson for Kibanda Sub County stormed Bozza village and forcefully evicted 50 pastoral families from a 10 acre piece of land.
More than 15,000 pastoralists who were evicted from a disputed forest reserve in Ssembabule district are starving. They evicted from Kazooba Forest Reserve last week by local authorities in Ssembabule led a team of police officers.
Pastoralists in Nakaseke district have started selling off their animals at giveaway prices as the long drought in the country bites hard. A 200 kilogram head of cattle that was selling at 1.6 million shillings two months ago is now at 800,000 shillings, while those below 100 kilograms are being sold between 200,000 and 350,000 shillings down from 700,000 shillings.
