There was shock and fear amongst Buikwe residents after three fishermen in Buikwe district were mauled and killed by hippos alongside the shores of Lake Victoria. The deceased are Asuman Nsekere, Ssebwalunyu Kizito and William Kaayi residents of Lugonjo Village, Ngowe sub county. The trio were attacked and killed in two different attacks.
While fishing on the 26th of March, Kaayi and Kizito were attacked, mauled and killed by the hippopotamuses. Nsekere on the other hand was dragged and killed by these hippos on the 5th of April at 4 pm.
As of now, the Buikwe residents of Namazina and Lugonjo are all living in fear because of these hippos. According to Julius Mukusike the chairperson of the Beach Management Unit at Namazina landing site, one of the hippos always walks with her calves. Whenever it sees a human being it reportedly becomes so violent and aggressive.
“It [hippo] becomes more aggressive when it sees people and you would be lucky to survive if you are its target,” he said. A fisherman known as Juma Kasozi also revealed that they have suspended fishing activities for fear of being attacked by these animals.
This is because they attack their boats during both day and night. Additionally, Mr. Kasozi cried to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for help. He said that these animals should be trapped and sent back to where they should be to ensure safety of the locals.
“Hippos have put us on tenterhooks and we have run out of ideas because they attack everybody who moves near the lake shores. We call upon UWA to swiftly intervene,” he chirped.
However, UWA spokesperson, Mr. Bashir Hangi said that locals in the affected areas are yet to alert them. He went ahead to advise the locals to be on high alert as UWA plans to send the Problem Animal Capture to the area.
Furthermore, he advised locals who live near the shores of Lake Victoria to stay away from them in this time. This is meant for their own safety until the situation is handled by the responsible authorities.
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“I advise those residents to stay away from the 100-metre reserves from the lake shores. With this, the hippos will be controlled from attacking their homesteads and destroying crops,” he added.
