For years, Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest conservation area, has been at the center of a grim controversy. Since 2012, at least 35 people from Nwoya District have lost their lives inside the park under mysterious circumstances, according to the district chairperson, Emmanuel Orach. The deaths have raised pressing concerns about human rights, security, and the enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
Disappearances and Grief
Ms. Susan Anena is among the many grieving residents. Her 23-year-old brother, Richard Opiyo, disappeared nearly two weeks ago during a hunting trip inside the park. Reports suggest that Opiyo was shot by park rangers, but no official confirmation has been given.
“I was in the trading center selling my goods when I last spoke to him. He told me he had gone for a walk inside the park,” Anena recalls. Since then, she has desperately searched for answers, but authorities remain silent.
Ms. Anena’s pain is shared by Mr. Ben Odong, who lost his 28-year-old son, Patrick Omony, in a similar manner. Omony went hunting in the park in January and never returned. His father heard gunshots around 8 a.m. that day and later received reports that his son had been arrested. Despite reaching out to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the police, he has been unable to locate Omony or even confirm what happened to him.
“There are many similar cases here in Purongo,” Odong says somberly, highlighting an alarming pattern of disappearances.
A Pattern of Violence
Nwoya District chairperson Emmanuel Orach confirms the growing number of deaths, stating that some victims were even killed outside the park. The most recent case involved a young man, Kinyera, who was shot multiple times at a quarry site in Agung, Wii Polo.
“These killings have been going on for years, and we have engaged both the police and UWA over the issue,” Orach asserts.
Allegations of Corruption and Revenge Killings
Geoffrey Opobo, the former chairperson of Anaka Sub-county, alleges that some of these deaths result from failed deals between rangers and poachers. According to him, local hunters often coordinate with park officials through phone calls, paying bribes for safe passage into the park.
“But when rangers are transferred, new commanders take over, and those who miss out on the deals sometimes shoot and kill the boys,” Opobo claims, pointing to a possible cycle of corruption and retaliatory violence.
Official Responses
UWA chief warden, Mr. Frederick Kiiza Kayanja, has denied any involvement of park rangers in the killings. “This number was brought to my attention during a recent meeting, but I am not aware of any such scenario,” he said. He urged the families to formally report missing persons to the police.
Meanwhile, Nwoya District Police Commander Regan Magombe acknowledges that investigations are ongoing. “We register at least two missing person cases a week, and we take them seriously,” he states.
The Role of Poaching
Poaching, known locally as makaa (charcoal), remains widespread in communities surrounding Murchison Falls National Park. Bushmeat is a delicacy in the region, but hunting wild animals is illegal. Uganda’s Wildlife Act, 2019, imposes severe penalties on poachers, including up to 10 years in prison for a first offense and up to 20 years for repeat offenses.
Despite these strict laws, poaching persists, and with it, the deadly encounters between local hunters and park rangers. UWA records show that 2,837 people were arrested for poaching or illegal possession of wildlife products in Uganda between 2021 and 2022 alone.
Seeking Justice
The community of Nwoya remains in mourning, demanding accountability for their lost loved ones. Families like those of Richard Opiyo and Patrick Omony continue to seek closure, hoping that one day, they will find the truth about what happened to their relatives inside Murchison Falls National Park.
As the investigations unfold, the question remains: how many more lives will be lost before a lasting solution is found?
