Mixed reactions at Kibonge’s Funeral – Uganda Safari News
For weeks, he could not feed well, he had lost nearly all his teeth. His name was Kibonge and he could not roar anymore. This elegant lion was believed to be the oldest lion in Uganda was very ill for the last three weeks. He breathed his last at midday on Friday 28th, November and was pronounced dead. A number of people flocked the Uganda Wildlife Education Center in Entebbe (UWEC) yesterday to pay their last respects to the lion. According to Jennifer Nandutu, one of the workers at UWEC, she had humble last world for the fallen leader and she said that “We are here to celebrate a life well lived by Kibonge. When he was around, he could intervene in some fights at the center and now he has left that responsibility to the keepers to it”.
When he was younger, Kibonge had contracted a virus which according to the veterinary experts, would eventually kill hime. However, this virus was treated and the lion managed to survive for a longtime.
How Kibonge came to Uganda
Game rangers in Kenya picked the cab from wilderness and gave him to Uganda 15 years ago.
According to the animal activists, the death of Kibonge has left a gap in Uganda’s tourism and this threatens the industry. According to James Musinguzi, the Executive Director, UWEC, said that the number of lions in Uganda is tremendously low about 415 only. He therefore urged the local people to join hands to see what can be done to change the trend.
Before Kibonge was buried, it was announced that another lion is on his way to replace him. The Director said that all hope is not lost since Uganda has already got a donation of a six year old handsome male from Lion Park, South Africa which is going to replace Kibonge.
Just a few of his body parts were put in his grave while others including the skeleton will be preserved for future use. Flowers were sprinkled in to his grave after he was put in the grave just like the way human beings are buried.
The lioness left at the center including Kibonge’s two daughters watched as their beloved was covered up permanently.
