The Government of Uganda has launched an electric fencing project around Kidepo Valley National Park in a move aimed at ending decades of deadly conflict between wildlife and neighbouring communities.
The 100-kilometre fence will form a secure boundary between the park and surrounding villages in Karenga District, an area where residents have long suffered losses of crops, livestock and, in some cases, lives due to stray wild animals.
During the launch, Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Martin Mugarra Bahinduka, said the initiative marks a critical step in promoting peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. He noted that the project reflects the government’s commitment to protecting both community livelihoods and the country’s natural heritage.
“The electric fence is not only about stopping animals from entering gardens, it is also about ensuring communities live safely and confidently near protected areas while securing the wildlife that defines our tourism identity,” Bahinduka said.
The project’s first phase will focus on hotspots where animal incursions have been most severe, with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) supervising installation and community sensitisation. Residents are expected to take part in maintaining and monitoring the fence to ensure sustainability.
According to UWA officials, the initiative will help protect endangered species within the park, as it will reduce incidents of retaliatory killings when wild animals stray into human settlements. The fence will also serve as a deterrent against poaching and encroachment on park land.
Community leaders in Karenga welcomed the development, saying it brings long-awaited relief to farmers who have endured years of destruction by elephants, buffaloes and other wildlife.
The project follows President Yoweri Museveni’s directive earlier this year to prioritise the erection of electric barriers around Kidepo Valley National Park as a permanent solution to human–wildlife conflict.
Once complete, the fence is expected to significantly reduce confrontations between people and animals, enhance local safety and strengthen Uganda’s conservation efforts in one of its most iconic parks.