OYAM:
The authorities of primary schools in Oyam district bordering Murchison Falls National Park are calling for support from partners and the government to erect a perimeter fence around the school area as a proper way of safeguarding children, staff, and school property from attacks by wildlife.
In Oyam district, there are eight UPE primary schools bordering Murchison Falls National Park: Nora Primary School, Ajaga Primary School, Amaji Primary School, Amati Primary School, Apala B Primary School, Jumbia Primary School, Kongo Primary School, and Acimi Primary School.
Akot Polly Susan, the headteacher of Nora Primary School in Kamdini Sub County, Oyam district, says that as her school is bordering Murchison Falls National Park, the school needs to be fenced to safeguard pupils, teachers, and property from wildlife attacks.
She says that last year, wildlife such as elephants, monkeys, and other animals were moving around the school compound during holidays, putting the lives of children and their teachers at risk.
Richard Opito, the headteacher of Amaji Primary School in Kamdini town council, says that schools near the park, like Amaji and others, need proper security and a wall fence built around the school not only to prevent wildlife but also to prevent thieves from stealing school property.
Dilla Benson, the district LC5 chairperson of Oyam district, says that building a perimeter fence around the school will not prevent wildlife attacks in schools, but efforts and quick response from the Uganda Wildlife Authority on reports of stray animals around schools can protect schools from wildlife attacks.
But Beatrice Okello, the Secretary of Education and Sports in Oyam district local government, says that schools near Murchison Falls National Park in Oyam must recruit a watchman to protect school property from thieves, as the district has no money to build a perimeter fence in all the schools bordering Murchison Falls National Park.
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