Hippopotamus Kills Fisherman on Lake Albert

A hippopotamus has killed a fisherman on Lake Albert in Kikuube district. The deceased, only identified as Zawadi, 40 a fisherman associated with Nsonga landing site in Buhuka parish, Kyangwali sub-county, lost his life on Monday evening at approximately 7 p.m.

Reports indicate that Zawadi had gone to inspect his fishing nets at Nsonga landing site when he encountered the aggressive hippo, which ultimately claimed his life. Dismas Babyamaiso, the LCI Chairperson of Nsonga landing site, recounted that the hippo seized Zawadi and submerged with him into the depths of Lake Albert before fatally attacking him.  

The lifeless body of the deceased was discovered on Tuesday evening, floating on the waters by fellow fishermen who were on a fishing expedition. Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson, reported that police collaborated with local fishermen to recover Zawadi's body. The hippo had inflicted multiple injuries on the victim, including wounds to the neck, chest, and stomach.

Hakiza added that the body has been handed over to the relatives for burial arrangements. This incident adds to a list of others who have lost their lives to hippo attacks on Lake Albert. In June 2021, two fishermen, Richard Opio, 27, and another known as Mugegere, both from Bugoma-Kinya Landing Site in Kyangwali sub-county, were killed when their boat was struck by a hippo, causing it to capsize.

In December 2022, a fisherman named Emmanuel Omirambe, 35, from Kyehoro landing site in Kabwoya sub-county in Kikuube district, drowned in Lake Albert after a hippo attacked his fishing boat, leading to its overturning. Additionally, in September 2022, a hippopotamus wreaked havoc by killing 12 cows and injuring 20 others in Kikuube district. 

The hippo emerged from Lake Albert and raided Kyehoro lower and Kyehoro upper landing sites in Nkondo parish of Kabwoya sub-county, leaving a trail of destruction.