Farmers in Uganda Guard Crops from Elephants at Night

Farmers in several villages in Uganda's Buliisa district have resorted to spending nights in temporary shelters beside their fields to defend their crops from elephants emerging from a nearby national park.

The practice reflects ongoing human-elephant conflict in the area, where residents of Kicoke, Bugana and Nganzi report frequent nighttime raids that threaten their harvests. According to a report by The Independent UG, the farmers stay awake to deter the animals and prevent damage that could leave them without food or income.

Buliisa lies in western Uganda, a region where protected wildlife areas border agricultural land. Elephants from the national park regularly cross into community fields, especially during certain seasons when crops are ready for harvest.

The situation forces families to adapt their daily routines, with adults taking turns or collectively watching over gardens through the night. This approach highlights the immediate challenges faced by small-scale farmers living adjacent to conservation zones.

Human-wildlife conflict is a persistent issue across parts of Uganda where expanding agriculture meets protected habitats for large mammals. Communities often bear the costs in lost produce while national conservation policies aim to safeguard elephant populations.

Local accounts describe the stress and exhaustion of maintaining vigilance after full days of farm work. Without sustained mitigation measures, such as improved fencing or alternative livelihoods, the pattern of nighttime guarding is likely to continue.

The report from The Independent UG underscores how these conflicts affect rural livelihoods in Buliisa, where dependence on subsistence farming leaves little margin for crop losses. Similar tensions exist in other Ugandan districts bordering wildlife reserves, pointing to a broader national challenge of balancing conservation with human needs.

Based on reporting by The Independent UG.