Residents of Buikwe District, particularly those residing along the shores of Lake Victoria, find themselves gripped by fear and apprehension following a series of deadly encounters with hippos. The recent attacks have claimed the lives of three fishermen, prompting concerns about the safety and well-being of the local community.
Asuman Nsekere, Ssebwalunyu Kizito, and William Kaayi, all residents of Lugonjo Village in Ngowe Sub County, fell victim to the aggressive behavior of hippos in two separate incidents within the span of a week. Kaayi and Kizito tragically lost their lives on March 26 while engaged in nighttime fishing activities, while Nsekere met a similar fate on April 5 in the late afternoon.
The residents of Namaziina and Lugonjo villages now live in constant fear as they grapple with the looming threat posed by the presence of hippos in their vicinity. According to Mr. Julius Mukusike, the vice-chairperson of the Beach Management Unity at Namaziina Landing site, one particular hippo, often accompanied by its calves, has been displaying increasingly aggressive behavior towards humans.
Mr. Mukusike highlighted the heightened danger posed by the hippo, emphasizing that it becomes particularly aggressive upon encountering individuals near the lake shores. He stressed the precariousness of surviving such encounters, indicating that individuals targeted by the hippo face grave risks to their safety and lives.
Echoing Mr. Mukusike’s sentiments, Mr. Juma Kasozi, a fisherman at Namaziina landing site, shed light on the pervasive nature of the threat posed by hippos. He recounted how the hippos indiscriminately attack boats both during the day and at night, compelling fishermen to cease their fishing activities altogether for fear of further attacks.
In light of these alarming developments, residents have called upon the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to intervene urgently by implementing measures to trap and remove the aggressive hippos from the area. Mr. Kasozi emphasized the urgent need for intervention, emphasizing that the continued presence of the hippos poses a significant risk to the safety and livelihoods of the local community.
Despite the severity of the situation, the affected residents have yet to formally alert UWA officials about the ongoing hippo attacks, underscoring the need for increased awareness and proactive measures to mitigate the risks posed by encounters with these formidable creatures.
The prevalence of such attacks serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent dangers posed by hippos, often regarded as Africa’s most dangerous large game animals. Conservationists emphasize that hippos pose a significant threat to human lives, claiming more casualties annually than other formidable predators such as crocodiles and lions.
