Kasese, Uganda – Another tragic loss of life has occurred in Kasese Municipality following an elephant attack on January 19, 2025. Elias Bwambale, 47, was attacked by a solitary elephant in his home in Kanyangeya Ward, Nyamwamba Division. The attack took place at 2:00 a.m., and his wife’s alarm drew the attention of nearby residents.
Kasese Central Police Station (CPS) responded quickly to the distress call, rushing Bwambale to Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly upon arrival. This death adds to the growing concerns over the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Earlier this month, on January 10, 2025, a herd of elephants killed Emmanuel Kiiza, 34, while he was working as a guard in a rice garden in Hima Division. The same area was the site of a previous attack in 2023, where Yoram Mugisha, 33, lost his life to an elephant. These incidents follow a pattern, with similar attacks taking place in recent years, such as the tragic death of Tadeo Tumwesigye, 27, in Karusandara Sub-county in 2022.
Local residents are increasingly concerned about the frequency of these attacks. “We live in constant fear of the elephants invading our homes,” said a concerned local. “We don’t feel safe anymore.”
Nelson Tumushime, Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing. Authorities continue to call for vigilance and quick reporting of wildlife sightings to prevent further tragedies.