Uganda: Crocodile Kills LC1 Chief



New Vision (Kampala)

15 April 2008
Posted to the web 16 April 2008

Dismus Buregyeya
Kampala

THE Kizira LC1 secretary for defence, Deo Mugerwa, 40, was on Sunday killed by a crocodile in Mugoye sub-county, Kalangala district.

The LC1 chairman, Jackson Kisoro, said the crocodile first knocked down Mugerwa's boat as he was fishing, before eating him up as his nine-year-old son watched.


"Those who went to rescue him only found his leg and arm. We have several crocodiles terrorising us, making the fishing business very risky these days," he said.

He added that they had tried to trap the crocodiles in vain

"We set two traps, one containing a dead dog and the other with a live dog. But the crocodiles only eat the live dog and fled." he said.

Mugerwa, 40, had been in the fishing sector for over 20 years, Kisoro added.

Residents suspect that the crocodiles escaped from Butebo Islands Crocodile breeding camp.


The district Police chief, Peter Magezi, warned fishermen against operating on the lake at night, saying crocodiles could not be spotted in the dark.

Last month, two BIDCO employees were eaten up by crocodiles, Magezi said.

The district veterinary officer, Dr. Edward Muwanga, said many crocodiles were at lake shores because of the rainy season.