Chimpanzee attacks a child in kagadi,hospitalized with severe injuries

PHOTO/FILE

 By: Our Reporter

KAGADI

A -two and a half year -Old boy is admitted at Kagadi Hospital in Kagadi District after being attacked and severely injured by a troupe of chimpanzees in Kyarwakya Village, Kamuroza parish in Kyanaisoke sub-county Kagadi district.

Kunihira Tibanogwa 20, the mother of the injured child said her son Kajura Ainebyoona was attacked while in a maize garden with other six children aged between 6-10 years.  She added that the victim was snatched by two Chimps in a maize plantation when about six children from the neighborhood were harvesting maize at around10:00AM on Sunday over the weekend.

She further disclosed that the child was first admitted at a private clinic in Kyarwakya trading center but later referred to Kagadi Hospital after his health conditions started deteriorating.

Kajura Tuhaise 32, the father of the injured Boy said his son is not showing any improvement and prefers further management in a regional referral Hospital.

According to one of the nurses administering treatment in pediatric ward who preferred anonymity said the child is being helped and necessary treatment is rendered only that patient’s care takers do not appreciate services from nurses and Doctors at the health facility.

Leo Bukenya, the Kyarwakya LCI Chairperson, said for more than a decade chimpanzees have been living harmoniously with people near the wetlands only that their habitats have of recent been depleted by wetland encroachers a cause of the attack.

Robert Ocaya, Area in -charge problem Animal in Uganda Wild life authority (UWA) Kagadi said forests and wetlands in Kyarwakya village have been encroached on and destructed massively saying it was a major cause of the attack.

 He added that people do not observe 150m a way from wet land fringes and continue to interfere with boundaries of wetlands and forests.

Harriet Tusiime, A community conservation ranger, Uganda Wild life authority (UWA) Kagadi, said over 20 children were attacked, injured with at least 5 deaths of children between 1-4 years old in Kyamajaka village Muhorro town council Kagadi district in the last three years due to destruction of forest and wetlands.

 Tusiime further noted that sensitization had been conducted in the affected communities about preserving environment but people do not heed to Uganda wild life authority guidelines.