Mixed Reaction as Events Manager, Balaam Kills 6 Pythons

It is barely hours after renowned city events promoter, Balaam Barugahara and his team went on python hunting spree leaving six of the giant snakes dead over the weekend at Biizi village in Masindi district.

“A mission was carried out, putting six deadly pythons, out of action and easing tension in the neighborhood,” read a notice on the Facebook wall of Dixon Bond Okello, an events security officer who helped in the execution of the task.

Dickson revealed that of late, deadly pythons had invaded the camp located on the top of Biizi hill in Masindi killing a number of healthy goats belonging to Balaam as well as threatening human life.

“Those saying we should have called UWA to help are not aware of how dangerous these things have been”.

He in fact took a swipe at UWA saying it was laughable that the same Authority, which would have protected the pythons is busy arresting its own senior staff for illegally selling ivory.

“I doubt if they would have driven all the way to Masindi, to urgently relocate the deadly snakes,” Dickson stated.

Eric Ntalo, a tourism enthusiast and PRO of Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary expressed anger towards Dixon saying: “I have so much respect for you Dixon, but as far as this subject is concerned. You are getting it all twisted and out of context”.

While he sympathized with Balaam for the loss of his domestic animals, and the possible life threat to his workers, Ntalo was quick to add that the killing of the pythons was uncalled for.

“You should not celebrate the killing of 11 African Rock Pythons! This specie is the largest on the continent, a key player in the ecosystem and wildlife tourism,” Ntalo told SoftPower News.

“Perharps, its habitat was destructed or it sought for refuge in your camp site. Harm has been done, and the act is no different from the death of the 11 lions in Queen Elizabeth,” Ntalo added.

However, several other Ugandans took to social media to defend Balaam whose action they said was done in self defence. Some questioned whether the reaction would be similar had the pythons killed someone.