Our national parks remain safe to visitors; UWA assures tourists after elephant attack.

In an exclusive interview with Pearl of Africa Tv (POA), the Uganda Wildlife Authority communications manager Hangi Bashir ensures travelers  that all Uganda’s National Parks and Game reserves remain safe for all visitors and the safety of all visitors in protected areas still remains Uganda Wildlife Authority’s priority.

On January 25th, a Saudi Arabian national Ayman Sayed Elshahany who was transiting through Murchison falls National Park from Masindi to Arua was killed by an elephant in the morning hours of that day an act that sparked off debate about the safety of tourists in the country.

According to the Authority mouth piece, Mr. Ayman (the deceased) was traveling through the park towards Tang gate in a Toyota wish car with three other colleagues when he apparently moved out of the car for a short call but unfortunately an elephant charged up on him and took his life when he tried to run.

Bashir added that the Authority has reported this matter to Pakwach Police and they are working closely with the law enforcement to fully investigate the matter as as UWA continues to review safety protocols to avoid a repeat of such an incident.

“This is one of the isolated incidents that normally happen but if people listen attentively to guidelines by our rangers such cases can be controlled in all Parks”.

On the issue of precaution measures of all travelers transiting through the park, Bashir urged them to avoid moving out of their vehicles while transitioning through the parks, observe speed limits, not to hoot and to  keep a reasonable distance from the animals when they are crossing the road because wild animals often become more disastrous once they sense danger.

Hangi assured tourists of the Authority’s guaranteed support from armed rangers who are always  on standby to guide and protect every client that visits the parks

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He says the authority indeed is saddened by the death of the Saudi national and prayed for the deceased to continue resting in eternal peace.