An American tourist, Frank Stuart Cox, was killed by a buffalo on Monday, February 3, while sport hunting in Karenga Community Wildlife Management Area, located outside Kidepo Valley National Park in Karenga District.
Cox was on a hunting expedition organised by Uganda Wildlife Safaris, a company licensed to offer sport hunting services in Karenga. The area is co-managed by the company, the Karenga community, and the local authorities.
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Public Relations Officer Bashir Hanji said that UWA provides "oversight and technical guidance" to Karenga Community Wildlife Management Area, although it does not directly manage it.
According to Hanji, Cox and his professional guide shot a buffalo, but it did not die immediately. The wounded animal hid and later attacked them, killing Cox and seriously injuring the guide. A UWA ranger later neutralised the buffalo.
The American embassy has been notified of Cox’s death, while the injured guide is receiving treatment at a hospital in Kampala.
Asked how such incidents can be prevented, Hanji said such cases are rare due to existing security measures but admitted that "the wild is always unpredictable."
This reporter learned from sources that another individual was also killed by a buffalo in Kitgum yesterday. However, the UWA spokesperson said he was unaware of the incident