A herd of seven elephants strayed from Kidepo Valley National Park and terrorised Otuke district, destroying gardens and injuring two people.

According to local leaders, the elephants entered the district from Acopelwor and Alyec villages in Ogwete sub-county, Otuke district.
Peter Okweda, the LCIII Chairperson of Ogwete sub-county, reported that two people were seriously injured and rushed to Abim Hospital for treatment.
One of the victims sustained a broken arm and thigh, while the other had his skin peeled off.
One of the victims had climbed a tree to get a clear view of the wild animals.
When he saw one coming towards him, he panicked and was climbing down when the beast grabbed him, threw him to the ground, and trampled him.
Okweda faulted Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) game rangers for their failure to take action when they reached the scene.
They reportedly went back to collect their equipment and an aeroplane to drive the animals back to the protected area.
Police received information on May 2, 2024, at around 12:00 pm from residents of Ogwete sub-county and contacted UWA leadership.
The North Kyoga Region Police spokesperson, Patrick Jimmy Okema, noted in a statement that a team was dispatched to chase the elephants back to the park.
He thanked the community members for being vigilant and timely in reporting to security for a quick response.
Okema identified one of the victims as Sam Ebele, who had hidden himself in a tree. Ebele was hit by the trunk of the elephant after he fell, breaking his right hand and leg.
A report was made, vide Otuke GEF 10/2024, to establish the circumstances under which the elephants invaded the village and caused injuries to the locals.
Okema said a team of police officers, local leaders, and the army were deployed to restrict the community from coming into contact with the elephants, which could make them more violent and possibly cause more injuries.
The LCIII chairperson, however, said the community drove the beasts towards Otuke Hills using empty jerrycans.
In November 2022, a pride of lions from the same national park invaded the Alebtong district but vanished, suspected to have gone back to their natural habitat.