Congregants at Muhokya Roman Catholic Church in Kasese district were thrown into panic on Wednesday afternoon when a stray baboon ran into the church during prayers.
The worshippers had gathered to recite the rosary at the start of the holy month dedicated to Mother Mary when the baboon suddenly entered, causing people to scatter in fear. A local resident, Halima Kabugho, said the animal had earlier been seen wandering around homes and compounds, disturbing residents, especially women and children, before it rushed into the church.
Another resident, Henry Baluku, who had taken shelter in the church compound, said that wildlife entering human areas had become rare since the electric fence around Queen Elizabeth National Park was built. He added that while the fence had kept animals away for some time, this incident showed that there were still gaps.
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers were quickly called and arrived to remove the baboon safely. Saveri Tushabomwe, a former councillor for Muhokya Central Ward, said that prayers continued after the baboon was led away and urged UWA to provide more community training on handling stray wildlife.
UWA officials said the baboon likely wandered from Queen Elizabeth National Park after being chased by suspected poachers. The incident has raised concerns about the ongoing challenge of human-wildlife coexistence in Kasese. Residents noted that while the electric fence has reduced conflicts, more awareness and a faster response system are needed to prevent such frightening encounters in the future.
