DR Congo rangers attack Ugandan goat herders
Tensions rise between Sarambwe reserve and Bwindi park communities after April goat seizure.
Tensions persist between communities bordering the Sarambwe Nature Reserve in DR Congo's Rutshuru territory and those near Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Local activist Muhindo Kibunga Elias reported on Thursday, November 5, that Ugandan eco-guards violently assaulted several Sarambwe community trackers on Monday.
The incident follows a dispute that began in April when Sarambwe trackers seized about 30 goats believed to belong to Ugandan herders inside the protected area. The goats were taken to a reserve surveillance post, and their owners are still seeking information on their fate from Sarambwe reserve managers.
Elias stated that the lack of clear explanations from reserve managers fuels the tensions, warning that the situation could escalate. He called for swift intervention from nature conservation authorities on both sides, urging the ICCN and Uganda Wildlife Authority to find a joint solution and involving the Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration.
Why it mattersCommunities in DR Congo and Uganda bordering nature reserves face escalating tensions due to a dispute over seized goats and alleged assaults.