Hippos Kill 21 in Kibaale, Fishermen Want Permission to Eliminate Them
Ismael Kasooha
19 January 2011



A total of 21 people have been killed by stray hippos on the shores of Lake Albert in Kibaale district in the last one year. The latest incident occurred last week, when Wilson Monday and another fisherman, who is currently hospitalised, were attacked by hippos as they returned from fishing.

Kabukanga landing site information secretary Richard Sunday Kabila identified the other people kiiled by hippos as Alex Twinomugisha, Philimon Timasakira, Chapakazi Onega, Godfrey Mugisa, Matiasi Bizimana, Wilson Byaruhanga, Kosta Ntanda, Gabi Onega and Jackson Mumbere.

Others are Wako Chan, Saturday Twikirize, John Kadoma, Joseph Sanyu, Vincent Safari, Gerald Amis, George Weki, Topher Jalwin and Fred Kanyaihamba.

The victims were residents of Nyamasoga, Kamina, Rwebigongoro, Kitebere and Kabukanga landing sites in Kibaale district.

However, the district fisheries officer, Francis Gwazo, said the deaths were over two years.

"It is true that people have been killed, but not in a period of one year as alleged by the fishermen," Gwazo said.


Enraged by the killings, the fishermen threatened to beat the Uganda Wildlife Authority officials from Ntoroko station, who argue that the hippos had to be protected.

Tom Okello Obbo, the conservation mananger at Murchison Falls, said the Uganda Wild life Authority was planning to sensitise fishermen on how they can live in harmony with the animals.

Okello said the hippos were important because they fertilised the water for fish breeding.

He said the fishermen were being killed because the fish in hippos' habitats, where there was a lot of fish.

Okello said UWA could not authorise the killing of the hippos because they were part of the aquatic life necessary for the continuation of the fishing business.

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:

Enraged by the killings, the fishermen threatened to beat the Uganda Wildlife Authority officials from Ntoroko station, who argue that the hippos had to be protected.

Tom Okello Obbo, the conservation mananger at Murchison Falls, said the Uganda Wild life Authority was planning to sensitise fishermen on how they can live in harmony with the animals.

If you have ever had direct dealings with African wildlife officials, then you can understand the fishermen's point of view. Perhaps they need "sensitization" to live in harmony with the UWA?